George Roach, 82, of Rotonda West, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, at Tidewell Hospice in Venice, Fla.

He was born in New York City, N.Y., and was married to his childhood sweetheart, Helen Mary, for 61 years.

After living in the City, they moved to Long Island, N.Y. They had one baby boy, who later married his beautiful wife and had five children. George was a veteran of U.S. Navy, a union organizer, a master gardener, and an active member of the Elks Club, where he was a P.E.R. George missed his wife Helen very much after her passing.

He is survived by his son, George; grandchildren, Chris, Shawn, Dan, Ryan and Jen; and great-grandchildren, James, Connor, Mackenzie, Madigan, Tyler and A.J.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, at Rotonda Elks Lodge 2710, 303 Rotonda Blvd. E, Rotonda.

Arrangements were made in Harbour Heights, Fla.