Brian James Roe, loving husband, father of four, and grandfather of six, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday morning, September 18, 2021, at the age of 85.
Brian was born in New Rochelle, NY to Joseph and Marguerite (nee Baker) Roe, Irish and Scottish immigrants who met in Liverpool. He had one sibling, his older brother Joseph, who he looked up to and loved dearly (even if he rarely let Joe know). Brian grew up socializing with his extended family of recent immigrants, often times with his father playing the piano and his mother singing. Brian’s first job was as a paper boy, where on his route he met his future wife, Antoinette (“Toni”) Immediato, also of New Rochelle.
Brian enlisted in the army in 1957 and was stationed at Fort Lee in Virginia, where he learned a few colorful expressions, saw Elvis Presley in concert, bunked with a future U.S. Senator, and perhaps most importantly, stood by a fellow enlisted man while traveling through the south during the Jim Crow era. After the army, Brian earned his associates degree at night from Westchester Community college.
Brian and Toni wed on June 6, 1959 at St. Gabriel’s Church in New Rochelle. In the ensuing years they had four sons, Brian, Michael, Kevin and John, and moved to Mahopac, NY where they met a wonderful group of friends who were also raising young families. Following a career opportunity afforded to him by his employer, AT&T, Brian moved the family to Bridgewater, NJ in 1974.
Brian had a long and successful career with AT&T, where he traveled the world as part of its ocean cables business. On these trips Brian met many interesting people, including princes, a princess, Henry Kissinger, and even Tom Carvel. Brian retired from AT&T in 1996 after thirty-five years of service.
First and foremost, Brian was a man devoted to his family and his faith. He was very active in his sons’ lives, coaching both baseball and basketball teams for many years. Brian was also a devout catholic who taught catechism and acted as eucharistic minister. In 1994, Brian was asked to institute a program for single mothers at an empty house on the grounds of St. Bernards parish in Bridgewater. Once again taking the side of the vulnerable, Brian spoke to the entire parish imploring them to look beyond their concerns and embrace the program. They did, and the program became “New Moms and New Expectations”, which helped many women take control of their lives. Brian was twice awarded the Medal of Regina Nostra for his many years of service to the church, and in particular for “New Moms”.
Brian was a lovely, decent, and kind man who also had a wonderful sense of humor. He was beloved by all who met him and he will be dearly missed.
Brian is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Antoinette, his sons Brian Jr. of Bridgewater NJ, Michael and his wife Lisa, of Princeton NJ, and John and his wife Denise, of Whippany NJ. Brian is also survived by six grandchildren, Maddie, Katie, Dana, Kevin, Benny and Johnny.
Viewing will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from 5-9 PM at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ. Mass offered Wednesday, 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Church, Barnegat. Interment to follow in St. Bernard Cemetery, Bridgewater.
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