Obituary of Paul H. Roske

Paul H. Roske Vestal: Paul H. Roske, age 70, died Friday, March 23, 2012, after a three-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Paul grew up in Westwood, NJ, and moved with his parents to Ithaca in the early '60's. He graduated from Cornell University School of Agriculture in 1966. He worked for 17 years at NYSEG, then became sole proprietor of A+ Handyman Services. He also worked for several auto repair companies in the Binghamton area. He was a faithful member of Vestal United Methodist Church, where he was active in the Christian Fellowship Sunday School Class, served as an usher, a Stephen Minister, and as a member of many church committees and teams. He led or joined church members on 23 trips to various parts of the Northeast with the VUMC Grass Roots Mission Team to repair and renovate homes and community centers. He was a lay leader and always ready to help with church dinners, holiday decorating and whatever was needed. He was a member of the Southern Tier Genealogy Club and held the position of treasurer for ten years. When his children were in school, he was involved in many of their pursuits, serving with the Boy Scouts and the Vestal Band Aides. He enjoyed working with his hands. For decades, he collected sap from neighborhood maple trees and made his own maple syrup. He was an avid woodworker and carpenter. Over the years, he baked hundreds of loaves of bread to give as Christmas gifts and to welcome visitors to the church. Paul is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lana; sons, Timothy (Julia) Roske of Albany, NY, Michael (Deb) Roske of Milford, NH; daughter, Maegan (Dave) Babcock of Johnson City; two grandsons, Mitchell and Daniel Roske of Milford, NH; his mother-in-law, Hilda Faulkner of Sherburne; a nephew, Peter Roske and a niece, Emily Goss, both of Tahoe City, CA. Paul was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Berniece Roske; and his brother, Mahlan Roske. The family is grateful for the generous support of the church and local community, the staff of the ALS Research and Treatment Center in Syracuse, and the Lourdes Hospice Program during Paul's illness. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 30, at the Vestal United Methodist Church, 328 Main Street, Vestal. Pastors Mike Willis and Mary Ricketts will lead the service. The family will receive friends in the church library on Thursday, March 29, from 5-7 p.m. and again at 10:00 a.m. on Friday until the time of the service. Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home Inc. assisted the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Vestal United Methodist Church or to the ALS Association Upstate New York Chapter, 890 Seventh North Street, Suite 108, Liverpool, NY 13088.