Mr. Andre' Burchelle Roach

Born on May 6, 1949 in Harrisburg, PA, the eldest child of John Burchelle Roach and Ruth Salome Walden-Roach was educated at Bressler Elementary, Oberlin School, Hamilton School, Edison Junior High School and graduated from John Harris High School in 1967. He received a BA in History with a minor in Education from Lincoln University, Oxford, PA in 1971. While there he took part in a historical study of the Watts area of Los Angeles, CA, a sociological study of Harrisburg City Schools and was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Nu Chapter. In 1977, he received his MA in Educational Administration and Supervision from the former Federal City College, Washington, D.C., completing additional post graduate work at Trinity College, Washington, D.C., the University of the District of Columbia, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD and the University of Denver, Denver, CO. First employed by Hershey Foods and AMTRAK, he later embarked on his teaching career in Washington, D.C. with the United Planning Organization, the Holy Comforter School, a teacher/vocational supervisor with Potomac Job Corps, the School Without Walls, an educational consultant with A.L. Nellums and Associates, D.C. Department of Corrections, Langley Junior High School, an administrative intern/vice-principal at Cardozo Senior High School, intern principal at Park View Elementary School, vice-principal at Watkins Elementary School, Stuart-Hobson Junior High School, summer school principal at Merritt Elementary, vice principal/principal at Eliot Junior High School, executive assistant at the former Nannie Helen Burroughs School and a senior educational consultant for BKL and Associates, where he planned, organized and implemented professional development workshops for administrators, teachers and educational practitioners. In 1994, he was featured in a Jet magazine Children's Profile article entitled, "Black Youths Tell How Gangs and Guns Have Them Planning Their Own Funerals" and in 1999, he was showcased in a Washington Post article, Assistant Principal of the Year as named by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and McDonald's restaurants. He received numerous plaques, awards and certificates for Dedicated, Devoted and Outstanding Service, Teacher Leadership Program Leadership and Support, the Outstanding Service Commendation and the Distinguished Educator IDEA Academy of Fellows award. Lovingly known to his family as "Aunie", he loved cars, car magazines, car shows, owning cars, his newest Jaguar, shopping, home shopping channels, travel, crab cakes, shoo-fly and lemon chess pie. He departed this life on the morning of October 12, 2016, the result of a massive heart attack. He is survived by his parents of Harrisburg, PA; a sister, Thelma R. Roach-Serry (Henry) of Richmond, VA; two brothers, Erle S. Roach (Pearl) of Bronx, NY and D. Kevin Roach of Harrisburg, PA; four nephews, Armand P. Serry (Chantel) of Midlothian, VA; Irving J. Rose of Bronx, NY; Kyle S. Roach of New York City, NY and Adrian A. Serry (godson) of Petersburg, VA; one great-nephew Armand P. Serry, Jr. of Richmond, VA; a host of relatives, friends, colleagues former students, a special friend, Clyde Hill and three godchildren, Jamie, Jordan and Jocelyn Hill. A private family service will held at the behest of the deceased on the Chesapeake Bay. A public memorial service will be held at a later date. A scholarship will be established in his honor. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the many cards, letters, phone calls and other expressions of kindness during our period of bereavement. Lovingly submitted by the Family. Correspondence can be sent to Mrs. Ruth S. Roach, P.O. Box 4954, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. Andre' Burchelle Roach please visit our Sympathy Store.