John Vincent Roach’s unyielding quest for knowledge and his passion for teaching were instrumental to the growth of Mazer Chemicals Inc., where he served as executive vice president. “He’s a real example of a bright chemical engineer. Everything he did was done with precise knowledge. The success of the company had a lot to do with John,” said Bob Mazer, founder and president of Mazer Chemicals. Mr. Roach, 80, died of cancer Wednesday, Feb. 4, at his home in Riverwoods. Born and raised in Chicago, Mr. Roach attended St. Sabina School and graduated from Calumet High School in 1941. He enrolled at Illinois Institute of Technology for chemical engineering and was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, but his studies were interrupted when he went to serve as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II. He returned to Chicago, graduated from IIT in 1947, and married his wife, Irene, in 1948. Mr. Roach worked for Witco Chemical Corp. and Hodag Chemical Corp. before joining Mazer Chemicals, a Gurnee-based maker of specialty chemicals, in the early 1970s. Mr. Roach retired in 1989, more than two years after the company was acquired by PPG Industries Inc. Mr. Roach was described as a humble man who didn’t base his success or wealth on praise or possessions. “Nothing satisfied him more than seeing the projects that he had been a part of work,” said his daughter Patricia Murnik. “He never needed the pat on the back. He never needed the glory.” Besides his wife and daughter, survivors include two sons, Robert and John; another daughter, Deidre White; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in Kelley and Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park. Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 724 Elder Lane, Deerfield.
