James Cadwell Roach

Published 8:52 pm Monday, November 30, 2015

James Cadwell Roach passed away peacefully at his home in Smithfield Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at the age of 95.  Born in South Norfolk on Dec. 16, 1919, James was the son of the late Jacob Cadwell and Eleanor Elizabeth Thomas Roach.  After leaving Norfolk in 1972, Jim resided in Currituck, N.C. and had been a resident of Smithfield since 1986.

A Navy veteran of WWII, James spent time in the Aleutian Islands on the USS Markab, then was transferred to Washington state for the commissioning crew of the USS Shelikof, and was stationed in Guam, Saipan and Okinawa during the war effort.  After his honorable discharge, James returned to Norfolk in 1945, and pursued a civil service career at the Norfolk Naval Base and retired in 1974 as a nuclear weapons supply analyst.  At the time of his retirement, James was in charge of nuclear weapons from the banks of the Mississippi River east to the Indian Ocean.  

James was a life member of the Norview Masonic Lodge #113 AF&AM, and an associate member of the Smithfield Union Lodge #18.  He was a member and past financial officer of American Legion Post 49, a member of VFW Post 8545 Smithfield, and a member and past commander of VFW Post 2163, Tidewater.  For his pastimes, Jim was an avid traveler, enjoyed boating and fishing on the Currituck Sound, and was a “handyman” around the house and loved to “tinker” in his workshop.

In addition to his parents, James is preceded in death by his first wife, Ella “Nell” Waldron Allen Roach (d.1986). He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 26 years, Martha Schmidt Moore Roach; his daughter, Elizabeth R. Miller and her husband, Jeffrey William Miller and grandson, James Robert Miller; and his step-children, Cathy Bolling, Cynthia Bitar, and Steven Moore and their families.

A service celebrating James’ life will be held Thursday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. in Colonial Funeral Home, with the Rev. Joseph Savinsky officiating.  Masonic rites will be observed.  The graveside service will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, South Norfolk, with military honors. Family and friends will gather 7-8 pm, Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the funeral home for visitation.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675-8517
Service arrangements are in the care of Colonial Funeral Home, Carrollton, Smithfield, Isle of Wight and the surrounding communities.  Family and friends are encouraged to share condolences and remembrances at colonialfuneralhomesmithfield.com.