Thomas G. Roach

POYNETTE—Thomas G. Roach, age 83, died peacefully with family on Sunday, August 3, 2014 at Good Samaritan Society, Lodi, WI. 

Tom was born in Ottawa, IL on November 19, 1930 to Edward and Florence (Bennet) Roach.  He graduated from high school in Seneca, IL in 1948. Tom served with the U. S. Air Force from 1948 to 1952.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Illinois State University in 1958.  He married Louise Corso (Lou) on September 3, 1955.  Tom taught high school mathematics for
more than 30 years, first in Illinois, then in Wisconsin. He loved the subject of math and enjoyed sharing his interest with his students.  He worked to make classes fun with tips and quips about the applications, the process of finding solutions and the importance of participation in class.  His
favorite subjects were geometry and probability and statistics.

Tom coached cross country and swimming in several schools.  He challenged and encouraged team members to test themselves to work to reach “personal bests”.  Tom was proud of the cohesiveness and the camaraderie of his teams.  He felt strongly that both qualities were important aspects of sports. When Tom retired from his last teaching position at Waunakee High School,
he turned to his favorite leisure time activities of woodworking, refinishing furniture, caning, rushing and reupholstering family heirlooms and furniture from earlier eras for people in and around Waunakee and in Poynette.  He made many families happy with his restorations and repairs. 
He discovered new horizons on his 1976 BMW motorcycle and delighted in lengthy rides through the countryside. Tom loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.  He enjoyed family gatherings most of all, especially observing and joining in family stories and humor.

Tom is survived by his wife, Lou; three children, John of Poynette, Jane of Monona, and Matthew (Kathleen) of De Forest; his grandchildren, Mackenzie and Kayleigh Roach and Sara Rodenberg of Colorado; his sister, Vera Holland of Winterhaven, FL and his brother, Edward of Tucson, AZ.

Special thanks to Dr. William Ranum and staff at Dean Clinic, Waunakee, to the staff of St. Jude Hospice in Baraboo, and the Good Samaritan Society staff in Lodi for their compassion, their attentiveness and their dedication to caring for patients.

Because Tom wanted no service to be held, a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.  He asked that donations in his name be made to the Poynette Area Public Library, 118 North Main St., Poynette, WI 53955.