Joseph Roach

Joseph Roach

1926-2017

Joseph Roach, 91, of Denver, Colorado, died March 9, 2017. He was born March 10, 1926, the son of John and Carolena (Brunstermann) Roach, in Parnell, Missouri.

Joe graduated from Ravenwood High School, Ravenwood, Missouri. He attended Northwest Missouri State Teacher College in Maryville, Missouri, after proudly serving his country during World War II for two years in the U.S. Air Force.

While in the Air Force, Joe learned to fly; his pilot training and love of aviation carried into his career as a civilian. Joe founded Roach Aircraft in 1959, located in Denver Colorado at Jefferson County Airport in Broomfield, Colorado. He owned and operated his business 24 years, as full service, in instruction of general aviation, sales, and service. He was a Mooney and Cessna distributor, also buying and selling used airplanes.

Joe married Evelyn Jensen in 1957 at St. Patrick Cathedral in Billings, Montana, with a nuptial mass ceremony. They moved to Denver, to St. James Catholic parish where they were dedicated members.

Mass of Christian burial was held at St. James with the honor of a military burial on March 17, St. Patrick Feast Day, connecting him with his proud Irish heritage.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Steven; his brothers, Carl and Hubert; sisters, Cecilia, Rita and Berniece.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; son, Carl; daughters, Mary (Al) Nackerud, Judi (Bryan) Tointon, all of the Denver area, Michelle (Richard) Pucciarelli, Davidson, North Carolina, and Patricia Newey, Carmel, Indiana; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his brothers, Jerome “Jerry” of Denver, Paul (Linda), Shawnee, Kansas; sister, Loretta Kissinger, Maryville, Missouri; sister-in-law, Roberta Roach, Omaha, Nebraska and many nieces and nephews.