John R. Roach

John R. Roach, 76, of Northbridge, formerly of Revere and Upton, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, after a courageous six-year battle with cancer resulting from exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam. He was the beloved husband of Josephine (Internicola) Roach.

Born in Pendleton, Oregon, John was the son of the late William and Teresa (Connolly) Roach. He was raised and educated in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

After graduating from high school, John proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1967 and served two tours in Vietnam. While overseas, he was assigned to the 5th Communications Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division, earning the rank of Sergeant (E-5).

Following his honorable discharge, John returned to Klamath Falls and earned his degree in Accounting. After a brief time working in the accounting field, he realized it wasn’t his true calling and decided to head east in search of new opportunities.

John began working for Avis Car Rental at New York’s JFK International Airport through the help of his uncle. Within a year, he transferred to Boston Logan International Airport, where he became a manager. It was there, in 1976, that he met the love of his life, Josephine. The two were married in April 1977 and began a beautiful life together.

A few years later, John opened Kwik Kopy, a printing company in Boston that he successfully operated for many years before retiring. Over the years, John and Josephine made their home in Revere, Upton, and eventually Northbridge, where they settled.

John was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and fly-fishing, and he especially enjoyed traveling back to Oregon and through Canada. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with Josephine, his family, and his many friends. He was a longtime member of the Hopkinton Sportsmen’s Association “HSA”, proudly providing all of the printing materials for the organization over the years.

In addition to his devoted wife, Josephine, John is survived by his five brothers, Ron, Dan, Steve, Kevin, and Brian, all of whom reside in the Pacific Northwest, as well as Josephine’s siblings, numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, and many dear friends.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 P.M. on Friday, November 7, in the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, Upton.

His funeral Mass will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday, November 8, in St. Anthony’s of Padua Church, 250 Revere Street, Revere. Burial with military honors will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

A calling hour will also be held at the church prior to the funeral Mass, from 11:15 A.M. to 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via www.stjude.org/donate/donate, Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute via www.giving.massgeneral.org/donate, or to a local veterans’ organization of one’s choosing.