ROACH, MICHAEL THOMAS (1872-1936)

ROACH, MICHAEL THOMAS, Catholic priest of the Basilian congregation; teacher and treasurer, St Thomas College, 1910-14; b. Mara township, Ont., 31 Jul 1872, s/o Thomas Roach and Cecilia McGrath; brother of William Joseph Roach; ordained 1901; d. Toronto, 27 Sep 1936.

M. Thomas Roach was educated at St Michael's College, Toronto, and at Assumption College in Windsor, Ont. He entered St Basil's Novitiate in 1895 and was later trained for the priesthood at the congregation's seminary in Toronto. After his ordination he taught in schools and colleges in both Canada and the United States. He came to St Thomas College in 1910 from Texas, and he returned to that state in 1914. He subsequently had a variety of postings, both as teacher and pastor.

Roach was "a good financial man who served as treasurer in every house to which he was appointed." He was also a sportsman with rod and gun. "Year after year he took his holidays during the deer season, and usually brought back a supply of venison."