Eric Eugene Roach

Eric Eugene Roach was taken too soon on September 25, 2026, at age 67. He was headed to work on his motorcycle in Marco Island, Florida. Born in Wilmington, Ohio, and raised in Defiance, Ohio, Eric moved to Marco Island, Florida, in December of 1989.

Eric was a plumber by trade. He spent his last 25 years working for Prout’s Plumbing. He served French cuisine at The Island Cafe for several years and worked maintenance for Prudential Florida Rentals. Eric began his employment on Marco Island at Condee Cooling and O’Shea’s. Prior to that, he was a vetted employee of The Dinner Bell in Defiance, Ohio.

While a man of few words, Eric was quite diverse in his list of favorite things. His passions included: riding, boating, beachcombing, fishing, hunting, stargazing, aliens, and Bigfoot. He was always up for a good concert or festival. And he had no problem with weekend binges of sci-fi, Ghost Hunters, or John Wayne. Children loved him because he always had candy in his pocket. Animals loved him for the treats he’d pass under the table. He also enjoyed his collections of knives, shotguns, and rifles. Eric would literally give the shirt off his back to any individual or animal that he saw in any form of distress. Tears physically made him uncomfortable. He would buy chili for the homeless man sitting outside of Wendy’s or carry a hurt cormorant for over a half mile to safety with Florida Fish and Wildlife. For years, he could not walk past or lose at a claw game filled with stuffed animals. These were then wrapped in goodie bags and delivered to St. Matthew’s house each year just in time for Christmas.

Eric was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Tandy T. Roach, PHD. and his younger brother, Matthew A. Roach (Wendy). He leaves behind his wife Karyn L. and his son, Eric E. Roach II, his mother, Glenda M. Straughbaar; his brothers Tandy Roach (Kelly) and Andrew Roach, his sister Agaytha Lancaster, niece Alexandria Hoops (Matt), nephew Wes Lancaster (Yolanda), and three beautiful great-nieces: Grace and Julie Hoops and Delilah Lancaster.

A celebration of Eric’s life will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM at New Life Community Church, 489 W. Elkcam Circle, Marco Island, FL 34145. Food and refreshments will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/dignitymemorial.

October 15, 2026 Coastal Breeze News