ROACH, Winston Alexander 1928 – 2019

Winston left us early in the morning of November 5, 2019. Not a surprising time of day for a man who loved the sense of promise and adventure that each new day offered. He took his love of adventure, his Moravian faith, and his determination from “Roach Town” Jamaica and became a community builder wherever he landed.

In Kingston, Jamaica, he continued his aptitude for creating life long connections. As a student at Mico College he and his batch mates made friendships that have lasted to this day. He met his future wife of 57 years.

Accepted at the University of Manitoba at a time when there were few immigrants of colour to Canada, Winston and Merle started life again with their daughter Sandy. In Winnipeg they garnered a reputation for taking new West Indian students under their wing. Always a teacher at heart, Winston, naturally began encouraging, influencing and mentoring students, friends, colleagues and congregants alike. He and Merle grew their family – Donna, Alex and Martin joined sister Sandy. By encouraging friends and relatives to immigrate he brought a little of Roach Town with him.

This past summer Winston celebrated his fiftieth year in the home that he and Merle created. He loved Toronto and all it had to offer. Toronto’s energy fed his sense of adventure. He worked tirelessly from his home headquarters to improve his community by giving his time to various committees and political parties, by getting involved in Eastminster United Church and presbytery, and by being socially active in numerous global causes.

As the city grew so did Toronto’s Roach Town. Today there is a large network of family and friends residing in the GTA.

Winston lived his life with an abiding faith and optimism about the human spirit. His faith inspired everything he did. He left his mark wherever he lived. All his communities benefitted from his kind generous spirit.
Winston is predeceased by Merle and he leaves behind children (Sandra, Donna, Alex and Martin) and their spouses / partners (Bruce, Gordon, Trina, Beatrice and Yana) and grandchildren (Aaron, Zariah, Jada, Miles, Nigel and Maya).


A visitation will be held at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre on Friday, November 22nd from 5-9pm. 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, ON, M4T 2V8. Please bring your stories and songs to share in celebration of Winston’s life. A funeral service will be held at Eastminster United Church, Saturday November 23rd at 1pm. 310 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4K 1N6.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Danforth Grow Hope Project at www. eastendunited.ca or the Camping Opportunities Fund at www. tucc.ca.