Rev. Dr. Donald Lorin Roach Obituary (1933 - 2020)

Rev. Dr. Donald L. Roach, age 87, of Harborcreek Twp., went home peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 5, 2020. He was born in Barberton, OH on April 5, 1933, son of the late Julian and Mary Katherine Miller Roach. Pastor Roach was a graduate of Coventry High School in Akron, OH and was also a 1963 graduate of the Midwestern Baptist College in Pontiac, MI. In 1985, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Midwestern Baptist College. He was the Founding and Senior Pastor of Harborcreek Baptist Church from 1974-2009. Upon his retirement he stepped into the role of Pastor Emeritus, having an unyielding love and concern for the church and its membership until the day of his passing. Pastor Roach was a "working Pastor". He loved nothing more that to be hands-on with every church undertaking; from mowing the lawn and weeding to the major building projects for which he could be seen digging footers, laying block as well as roofing. Pastor Roach worked tirelessly building the church from the early days when the building was yet a dream and Sunday morning services were held in the overflow room at Perkins Restaurant in Harborcreek. In 1976 he also founded the former Harborcreek Christian School. Over the years of his ministry, Pastor Roach had the distinction of founding two other churches in West Virginia and Union City in addition to establishing one of the largest missionary outreach ministries in Erie County. He had also ministered to the residents of Twinbrook Medical Center from 1982 to 2015. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Peggy Lou Flanagan Roach, who passed away on July 28, 2017. He was also preceded in death by one son, James Roach; one sister, Vera Apple and two grandchildren, Lyndsey and Kelly Roach. Survivors include five children: Jane, Susan (James), Donald, Jr., Pastor David (Joyce) and Stephen (Maggie); a daughter-in-law, Debra; three brothers: John, Gene and Jack as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Calling hours for Rev. Dr. Roach will take place on Sunday, December 13th at Harborcreek Baptist Church, 4719 Buffalo Rd. With respect to the health and safety of the community, please observe the following schedule for calling: 2-4 p.m. for families with last names beginning with the letter A-L and 4-6 p.m. for families with last names beginning with the letter M-Z. All public safety guidelines pertaining to COVID-19 will be followed, including the mandate for the use of face masks and social distancing. A private funeral service will be conducted by his son, the Reverend David Roach. Pastor Roach will be laid to rest next to his wife, Peggy, at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harborcreek Baptist Church Mission Fund. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Dusckas-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Harborcreek.