Obituary of William T. Roche

William T. Roche, 89, a long-time resident of Berwyn and more recently of Glen Mills PA, died peacefully on Jan. 22, 2020 after a brief illness. Bill is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Roche, Sr., mother, Mary Roche, brothers; Richard Roche and Thomas Roche, Jr., sister, Elizabeth Hannon, former wife, Ida Roche, and wife, Diana Roche, and grandson, Justin. He is survived by his son, Paul (Katherine) Roche, daughter, Barbara (James) DiAntonio, stepsons; Danny (Diana) Hankins, Damon (Donna) Armani, Darren (Kathleen) Armani, and Artin (Carolyn) Armani, 19 grandchildren: Nikki, Megan, Matthew, Carla, Corey, Jaden, Jeremy, Byron, Aaron, Amber, Darian, Danielle, Donald, Brendan, Eileen, Ryan, Erin, Caitlin, and Artin, and 2 great grandchildren; Stella and Morgan.

After high school, Bill was a Trappist monk for five years. He then lived as a layperson, graduating from Saint Peters College in Jersey City, NJ. Bill and Ida married and raised their children, Paul and Barbara, in Berwyn, PA. Following the death of Ida after 30 years of marriage, Bill married Diana and the couple lived in retirement, first in Texas and then in Glen Mills, PA. Following the death of Diana after 25 years of marriage, Bill moved to Potomac, MD to be near his son Paul.

Bill's business career spanned three decades during which he was a computer systems engineer for General Electric. Despite his technical background, Bill never lost his love of Philosophy (M.S. in Philosophy) and Religion. He is the author of two books on occult philosophy, A Conversion of Manners and The Roots of Sabian Philosophy. Bill lived a life of love and dedication to his faith and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Children International (www.children.org).

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 9:30-10:30AM at St. Cornelius Catholic Church, 160 Ridge Road, Chadds Ford, PA followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30AM. Interment, St. Thomas the Apostle Cemetery, Glen Mills, PA.