Roy G Rohel

September 6, 1925 - December 5, 2015

ROY GEORGE ROHEL, age 90, passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2015, following a recent decline in health and history of heart disease. Roy was the only child of Frank George Rohel and Helen (Polka) Rohel. Born in West New York, the family moved in his early years to PA and then to Sussex, where he eventually assumed management of his father’s welding and propane business which was known as Tri-States Welding Supply. He was highly respected for his expertise in welding techniques. He was a 1943 graduate of Sussex High School. Roy was a proud WWII US Navy vet and member of the WWII Submarine Veterans. He was awarded the American Theater Medal and Victory Medals for his service. Roy enlisted with two of his buddies and then followed assignment to Bainbridge MD for basic training. Following basic training, he was stationed in New London, CT where he earned the Rank and Rating of Electrician’s Mate Third Class. At the station in New London, he was responsible for “wiring from scratch ST,SV, and SJ radar systems,” which he installed on the various submarines to update the technology. He would assemble the units then board the subs for various lengths of time to install and go out for the test runs with the crews. He spoke of time spent on USS Torsk, USS Seawolf, USS Amberjack, USS Swordfish, and USS Harder. Family members recall stories of how he spoke of how his shipmates would tie pillows around him to use him as a swab to clean the torpedo tubes since he was of such lean stature. He also talked of enjoying naps on the torpedo racks where it was warmer than the rest of the sub. On July 11, 1948, he was united in marriage to Mildred Haggerty Howell and her three children who became his own, Ronald, Wayne and Elaine. Roy R and Margie were born into this union. Roy was well known and respected in the community as an honest businessman, humanitarian, and entrepreneur. He was the owner of Tri- States Welding which grew, through his efforts, and, with the help of his sons and wife, to become Tri-States True Value, of which he was President and CEO. He served the community with his time as well as monetary contributions through his membership in numerous organizations. He was a past recipient of the Kiwanis Man of the Year award. He gave of his time and resources as a President and Board Member of the former Alexander Linn Hospital for over 15 years, he was a Charter Member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Sussex Elks Lodge # 2288, served 10 years on the Board of Sussex Building and Loan Assoc., member of Advisory Board of National Community Bank, member and Past President of the Wantage School Board for 15 years, Sussex Co Civil Defense for 10 years, member and Past President of the NJ L.P. Gas Association, member of the American Legion Post 213 in Wantage, VFW, Moose Lodge of Cape Coral Fl, and Masonic Harmony Lodge # 8, and Member of Washington Council #7, Royal Arch Masons Baldwin Chapter #17, and an Honorary Member of Beemerville Fire Department. In addition to his community service, Roy was a man loved by his family, admired by many for his generosity and kind words, his love for order and routine, his dry humor and straightforward manner. He enjoyed his business years and then in his later years enjoyed wintering in Naples and then Cape Coral Florida where he made many treasured acquaintances. He will be missed by the waitresses at his favorite “Thirsty’s Restaurant” in Cape Coral. Of late, he enjoyed frequenting Sussex Airport Diner and “Johnny’s” in Beemerville for his morning coffee and news. He had a love for Lionel trains and Dunkin Donuts, and was a modest and private man who avoided any praise or recognition for his many good deeds. He was a sportsman who enjoyed many memorable outings hunting and fishing with family and friends. He founded the Rohel Camp in Woodhull, NY in 1968. Roy was also a musician, master of Polkas and everything from Golden Oldies to Anchors Away, fostering many wonderful memories and gatherings around his accordion or organ music whether it be a club function or a family gathering. Roy is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mildred of Beemerville and by his children, Ronald (Rayna) Howell of Simmons Lk, Sussex, NJ., Wayne (Judith) Howell of Wantage, Elaine (Frank) Eberhart of Hampton, Roy R (Cindy) of Branchville, and Margie (Ed) Borner of Golden, CO.. He was blessed with having 19 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at the Beemerville Presbyterian Church, 226 County Route 519, Wantage, New Jersey 07461. Interment and Navy Military Honors to follow at Beemerville Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects to the family at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.. American Legion services will be held at 8:30 p.m.. The Family has asked that in lieu of flowers that donations may be made to the Trooper Curtis G. Rohel Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 621, Augusta,NJ 07822 ( to memorial of grandson,Tpr. Curtis G Rohel) or to Autism New Jersey 500 Horizon Dr. #530, Robbinsville, NJ 08691. ( to memorial of granddaughter, Donna Howell- Little), or to the Beemerville Presbyterian Church, 226 Route 519, Wantage, NJ 07461. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pinkelfuneralhome.com Special Words for A Special Man- Eulogy for Roy G Rohel 12/10/15 • Thanks to all those able to be here today. You will see on the program my name, followed by some of my titles. I have put them there for Dad, because he was proud of that. But, for me, they are just letters, and far more significant for me, something which I took pride in was that of being one of his daughters. We are gathered here today to celebrate the long and full life of Roy George Rohel, my Dad, my friend , one of my teachers in life. He was many things to many people and we are so blessed he was granted 90 years of life to enjoy. The presence here of each and every one of us here today is an indication of how special a man he was either through our family, his business, the community or as friends and we have come today to mourn his passing and pay him tribute this day. As I said, Roy G Rohel was many things to many people and I think I speak for all when I say he touched many lives. We are so thankful to have been able to experience the special person God created him to be and all the special relationships he was able to enjoy. Each of us is saying goodbye today to one they loved. Some of us knew him as Dad, as the guy who taught us right from wrong, guided us on the right path and taught us so very many lessons whether it be making sure our luggage had reflective tape on it, being sure we packed our glasses, being sure we had hide-a-keys for our cars, extra keys for our house, making photocopies of special documents are just a few examples of things that will always remind me of him in daily routine. He was a man who liked simplicity in life and yet, puzzling as it may be he would buy the most complex things, with every gadget available, most of which he would never use… just because he had worked hard and earned the right to do so. He was a guy who liked order, whether it be lining up the cans on the shelf with labels facing in one direction and dating them with purchase dates or using his label maker to organize his bins, or filing away copies of manuals he would never look at again… he did things in meticulous ways and was always very organized. He was an honest businessman and tried his best to serve his customers and employees in the best ways he could. He was a man who gave to his community whether it be a prize bicycle for the local fishing contest at Stanton’s pond, gifting of funds for a new lab or rooms at the local hospital, or contribution to some of the vendors at the county fair… he was always there and giving, never expecting any praise or recognition… it was just who he was. My Dad was a generous man, not only to his wife and we kids. He was loved by waitresses everywhere. He was especially fond of old friends and staff at the Glen Brook Inn in its day, Bella Vita, Sussex Airport Diner, Johnny’s Mountain View Country Store in Beemerville, Thirsty’s Restaurant in Cape Coral, the crew at Blue Ribbon, and Walpack Inn, Jolly Onion Inn.. Just to name a few. He liked to make people feel special and these are some of the many precious memories each of us is left with. He was a gentleman. Roy G Rohel was a Navy man. At the time, he really wasn’t all that thrilled with the reality of it with such tasks as cleaning latrines with a toothbrush, or middle of the night roll call to duty, but his time of duty none the less became something he grew to have much pride in as years passed and he realized his Navy days had become part of who he was. He was a WWII submarine veteran who assembled and installed radar systems on new subs, and updated older ones to improve the technology. He earned the rank and rating of Electricians Mate, 3rd Class while stationed in New London CT after enlisting with several of his buddies, Ike Rome and Dean Haggerty. Navy gave my dad a respect for himself, for his fellow man and for his country. He was proud to have served his country. Roy G Rohel was a straightforward man. For him, things were quite black and white. He was a man of principle and if he felt strongly about something he would speak up. He also was a peacekeeper and felt we all needed to allow for individuality and said there are all kinds in the world and we need to try to get along. If he didn’t care for someone he was most apt to avoid them, pay them no mind. If he was your friend, he was loyal to the end and would do anything for you. Roy G was known for his kind words in many places. Whether it be in greeting his employees at the True Value store he owned, when he went for his morning coffee at the diner, trips to the bank or grocery store… they all knew him and could always count on a “hey, how ya doin!” Dad was a modest man. He found it easy to give, but trying to do for him was downright difficult. We had to literally plot to get on ahead of him to pay a tab or give him something. We was once recipient of the Kiwanis, Man of the Year award. I felt such pride and happiness in seeing him accept recognition for some of his many good deeds. Although he knew how to party, he enjoyed his solitude as well and would often remark that there was “way too much commotion”, something common in a family our size. Dad lost his parents at a young age and as a result wanted to be the best Dad and provider he could be for all of us. He worked hard to achieve all he did in business. With his wife, sons and good employees he was able to prosper and achieve success in business. Business, however, wasn’t all that mattered to him. He was also a man loved and respected by his family. We were blessed to have him and thank him for all he provided for us. Married for 67 years is a testament to the strength of relationship and to his dedication to family to raise five children and live through 90 years of change. Was he perfect? No, none of us are, but, he was simply amazing. He was one of the best. Roy G enjoyed hunting and had many memorable outings with family and friends. Many of his old buddies have passed before him but the stories he passed down and the moments he shared are now a tower of strength for those who remain. He was a musically talented man. As organist and accordion player he touched many people. He played for family gatherings or years ago for the local Elks and Kiwanis organizations. He loved his music and could liven up any crowd with his polkas or golden oldies or medley of military songs. He enjoyed seeing people smile. In his later years he enjoyed his annual winter trip to his place in Cape Coral Florida and there too, he is loved by many who see how very special he was.. He loved Lionel Trains, Dunkin Donuts, Lobster and Millie. He was a high energy guy whom we will remember clearing two steps on the stairs at a time, and always being prompt for appointments. What a testament to a full life that he can have so many who cared about him, a wife, 5 children, 19 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren. It gives light to that which is meaningful in life and in keeping faith and hope in tomorrow. In his last weeks of life, Dad’s physical body failed him and even in that he displayed a sense of strength and hope of what was to come. Incredible Will we witnessed. While we wouldn’t wish for him to come back with his painful limitations he had prior to leaving, our pain is still very real. We will miss him. Death causes us as the survivors to reassess what our priorities are and to recognize where it is that one finds their strength. The pain of loss through death is very hard , very real and tears are appropriate but the pain of this loss must not lead to despair. Roy G Rohel would not want that in those left behind, We share a strength in this room given by God… called family and friends and it is through this that we will find new strength and comfort to express both tears and joyful remembrances. Rest in peace we love you. By- Margie Helen Rohel-Borner