Shad James Roach of New Hill, NC, age 48, passed away Sunday, January 22 at Duke University Hospital after suffering a massive stroke. He was surrounded in his final hours with the love of his family and dearest friend.
Shad was born on April 18, 1974, son of the late William and Marlene Roach in Skowhegan, Maine. He grew up with his older siblings, Scott and Sonja, in Athens, Maine. After Shad graduated from Madison High School in 1992, he went on to study education at the University of Maine.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1997, Shad began his first classroom teaching assignment at Warsaw Middle School in Pittsfield, Maine. This was the start of a 26-year long career as a passionate, well-loved, and gifted teacher. It was at Warsaw Middle School that Shad met his wife while she was serving as the school’s Speech/Language Pathologist. Early in their romance, the two moved to Miami, Florida where they secured jobs as elementary classroom teachers at Miami Country Day School. During their 5 years in Miami, the pair became engaged, married, and had their first baby together, a daughter named Allie (formerly known as Colby).
In 2005, the family moved back to Pittsfield, Maine where Shad enjoyed the privilege of returning to teach at Warsaw Middle School with amazing colleagues. He also earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine.
In 2009, the family of three moved to Apex, NC. Shad’s first teaching job in Wake County was at Timber Drive Elementary School in Garner. After one year, he transferred to Olive Chapel Elementary School in Apex where he taught 5th grade for several years with a close-knit group of teachers until he followed his children to middle school.
In 2013, Shad, Noelle and Allie met two future members of the Roach Family, Lera and Vitalik, through the miracle of Orphan Hosting. Despite the language
barrier, the chemistry among all family members was instant and real. Shad and Noelle knew from day one that these kids were meant to be part of their family. In 2014, Shad and Noelle traveled to Ukraine during a very turbulent time of political unrest to complete the adoption process and bring their children home to America.
Over the next few years Shad taught at Lufkin Road Middle School, Apex Friendship Middle School, and Laurel Park Elementary School. In addition to his classroom teaching duties, Shad was also a passionate and successful robotics coach.
In 2021, the family unofficially adopted a third daughter, Jade Brookreson, into their home and hearts. Jade affectionately referred to Shad as “Papa Roach”.
In addition to teaching, Shad loved playing fantasy football and cards with his friends, telling a good story, providing a listening ear, and sending his children “Papa Roach” advice videos.
Shad got to do what he loved right until the end - spend time with his children over their semester break and work to develop young minds. We celebrate his life and the impact he had on so many.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Noelle Boisvert-Roach; children Valeria (Lera), Vitalik (“V”), Allison (Allie), and Jade Brookreson of New Hill, NC; Sister, Sonja (Kevin) McSweeney of Palm Coast, FL; Brother, Scott (Brenda) Roach of Athens, ME, Parents-in-Law, Jeanne Boisvert and Blake Bartlett of Pittsfield and Augusta, ME; Sister-in-Law Nicole (Michael) Chartier of Augusta, ME; nieces and nephews Amanda, Garrett (Griselda) McSweeney, grand-nephew Liam, Sarah and Jonathan Roach; and his life-long best friend, Luke Sites.
The family would like to express their deep-felt appreciation for the high quality of care given to Shad during his stay in the Duke University Hospital Neurological ICU and the compassion extended to his loved ones.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 4:00 PM at Crosspointe Church in Cary, NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shad Roach Memorial Scholarship fund, c/o Sonja McSweeney 19 Lake Success Pl, Palm Coast, FL 32137.
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