North Greenbush - Patricia A. “Pat” (Haley) Roarke, 87, a longtime resident of Brunswick, died peacefully Friday, October 13, 2023, surrounded by her loving family following a short illness at Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Center.
Born in Albany April 4, 1936, Pat was the daughter of the late James L. and Beulah (Sheffer) Haley and, for over 65 years, the beloved wife of Matthew J. “Jim” Roarke Jr. of Brunswick, who survives. Pat and Jim were married on April 19, 1958.
After graduating from Troy High School, Pat earned an Associate Degree in Business at HVCC. She was employed by Rensselaer County working in the Higher Education Services office and more recently as a Claims Examiner at the NYS Department of Labor in Albany. After many years of service, she retired in 1997.
Pat loved sports of all kinds, especially basketball. She was a huge fan of the Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird and a season ticket holder for the Siena Saints. When unable to attend, she would be sure to listen to their games on the radio. She enjoyed playing golf and bowling, spending time with family and friends, and solving crossword puzzles. She was known as “Mrs. Fix-It” at her Cropseyville home and wrote a “fix-it handbook” for women. Pat was a former den mother of Cub Scout Pack 537, a little league team mother, and coached girls softball. The highlights of her golf game included a trip to The Masters in Augusta, Ga, on her 40th wedding anniversary and hearing her Frear Park golf instructor, Chuck Boland, shout “Looking good!” when she hit a great shot.
In addition to her husband, Pat is survived by her four children, Michael P. Roarke (Tina Deon) of E. Greenbush, Matthew J. Roarke III, James L. and Donna Roarke, and Beth L. and Robert Bloodgood, all of Brunswick, a sister and a brother, Barbara Barry of Brunswick and Philip Haley of Rochester, four grandchildren, Kerry, Devin, Maggie, and Mackenzie, four great-grandchildren, Duncan, Gavin, Hugh, and Nova, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother and grandson, James Haley and Patrick Roarke.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown, on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10:30 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. A funeral service for Pat will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Warren Cemetery in Boyntonville.
The Roarke family would like to extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to the staff of VRM Unit B1for their excellent care and support of Pat while she was under their care. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Unit B1 Activities Fund, c/o Van Rensselaer Manor Business Office, 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180, in memory of Patrica A. “Pat” Roarke.
Born in Albany April 4, 1936, Pat was the daughter of the late James L. and Beulah (Sheffer) Haley and, for over 65 years, the beloved wife of Matthew J. “Jim” Roarke Jr. of Brunswick, who survives. Pat and Jim were married on April 19, 1958.
After graduating from Troy High School, Pat earned an Associate Degree in Business at HVCC. She was employed by Rensselaer County working in the Higher Education Services office and more recently as a Claims Examiner at the NYS Department of Labor in Albany. After many years of service, she retired in 1997.
Pat loved sports of all kinds, especially basketball. She was a huge fan of the Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird and a season ticket holder for the Siena Saints. When unable to attend, she would be sure to listen to their games on the radio. She enjoyed playing golf and bowling, spending time with family and friends, and solving crossword puzzles. She was known as “Mrs. Fix-It” at her Cropseyville home and wrote a “fix-it handbook” for women. Pat was a former den mother of Cub Scout Pack 537, a little league team mother, and coached girls softball. The highlights of her golf game included a trip to The Masters in Augusta, Ga, on her 40th wedding anniversary and hearing her Frear Park golf instructor, Chuck Boland, shout “Looking good!” when she hit a great shot.
In addition to her husband, Pat is survived by her four children, Michael P. Roarke (Tina Deon) of E. Greenbush, Matthew J. Roarke III, James L. and Donna Roarke, and Beth L. and Robert Bloodgood, all of Brunswick, a sister and a brother, Barbara Barry of Brunswick and Philip Haley of Rochester, four grandchildren, Kerry, Devin, Maggie, and Mackenzie, four great-grandchildren, Duncan, Gavin, Hugh, and Nova, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother and grandson, James Haley and Patrick Roarke.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown, on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 10:30 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. A funeral service for Pat will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Warren Cemetery in Boyntonville.
The Roarke family would like to extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to the staff of VRM Unit B1for their excellent care and support of Pat while she was under their care. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Unit B1 Activities Fund, c/o Van Rensselaer Manor Business Office, 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180, in memory of Patrica A. “Pat” Roarke.