On April 9, 2025 we, the family and friends of Reverend Duncan E. Roach, were devastated to announce his peaceful passing at the An Cala Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital after a brief illness.

Duncan was born in Glace Bay, NS on December 14, 1941 to parents John and Annie Mae (MacDonald) Roach. 

After graduating from Morrison Glace Bay High, he was accepted to study at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB and then on to Pine Hill Divinity in Halifax, NS.

Upon graduation, Duncan embarked on a career as a United Church Minister that would span 60 years. Beginning his ministry at the St. Ann's Pastoral Charge he served the congregations of Englishtown, North River, Wreck Cove and Ingonish. While serving these congregations, as only Duncan could and would, he established life-long friendships with the people and continued to visit them "down North" for many years later. 

In 1970, Duncan answered a call to Minister Calvin United Church in New Waterford; where he remained to this day. 

During his time at Calvin, Duncan served as President of the Sydney Presbytery and worked on many committees of Presbytery including Ministry, Education, Students and Pastoral Relations as well as serving as a delegate to General Council at that time.

Duncan was also a founding member of Maple Hill Manor and served as President of the Board of Directors there. He was also on the committee for the new building of Maple Hill Manor. He served as well on the Board of New Waterford Community Center, Nova Scotia Health Organization, chair person of the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and the Hospital's Foundation, along with being Chaplain to the New Waterford Legion and the Army, Navy, Air Force, Unit 217. Duncan chaired the New Waterford Clergy Association, and as a member of the New Waterford Rotary Club, he was honored with a Paul Harris Fellow. Even with all his involvement, Duncan remained everything to his family, friends and community.

Duncan also remained involved in and was very supportive of Ecumenism and took an active roll in Ecumenical relations. He was always very interested in the youth and many youth groups in the community regardless of their church affiliation.

There is a saying that if you wanted a job well done to give it to a busy person. Duncan sure was that person besides being everything to Everybody; He was "the Best".

Outside his responsibilities and often in the morning he could be found walking in his neighbourhood and having a chat with everyone along the way, whether he knew them or not. Duncan was that rare person who could never, ever say no! and he didn't. He was that kind, generous, soft spoken man who put everyone first and made them feel special. He was a great listener, a regular visitor at the hospitals and nursing homes and he would often sit with people who may just have needed support or company at the time.

Duncan was an avid reader and a great lover of sports; the go to person when one needed to know who won the game, when such a team was playing, what the score was as well as where the teams were in the standings. He had an amazing mind and memory for statistics. 

He was an avid fan of the Cape Breton Eagles and was a season ticket holder. He enjoyed playing and watching golf. Duncan was fun, always up beat, always there when and if needed. He was the ultimate family man with qualities that would be difficult to surpass. He was very highly respected by all those who knew him.

Duncan is survived by his wife, Charlotte (Morrison); his son, Christopher and his granddaughters, Samantha and Alex; Poppy's pride and joy! Also surviving is his niece, Shannon MacDonald; his niece, Jeanne Morrison and her children, Maira and Andres as well as sister-in-law, Karen Morrison; life-long dedicated family friend, Sandy MacMillan as well as several cousins.

Besides his parents, Duncan was predeceased by his sister, Lorna; his father and mother-in-law, Aulay and Rachel Morrison and his brother-in-law, Jackie.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be take place Wednesday, April 16 from 3-7 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, April 17 at 2 p.m. in Calvin United Church, Hudson Street, New Waterford, with Rev. Dana Feltmate officiating. A luncheon will be held in the Rev. Duncan Roach Fellowship Room with burial to follow in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney. Memorial donations may be made to Calvin United Church or a charity of choice. Family flowers only, please. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. 

A livestream of the service may be viewed by visiting the following link:https://evt.live/in-loving-memory-of-reverend-duncan-e-roach

There is a proverb that states:

Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure.

There was only one Duncan and he truly was that faithful friend and treasure to all.