Julian Roulhac

Date of Birth

Sep 03,1923

Date of Death

Jul 06,2007

Julian "Joe" T. RoulhacAge 83 of Geneva, passed away peacefully, early Friday, July 6, 2007 at Delnor Community Hospital, Geneva, IL, where he was recently diagnosed with late-stage cancer. BORN / EARLY YEARSHe was born September 3, 1923, in Mt. Vernon, NY, the son of William S. and Charlotte (Trant) Roulhac. Joe grew up in Mt. Vernon where he graduated from high school with the class of 1940. A natural athlete, Joe played football and was an excellent swimmer. He worked briefly for a local oil company before joining the Merchant Marine. Following academy training, Joe departed for duty and sailed all over the world, bringing food and supplies to the troops in Africa, Italy and on several other fronts. Though he suffered shrapnel wounds like those in the infantry, he returned a "hidden hero", as did many who served in the Merchant Marines. But Joe’s service to his fellow veterans, didn’t end when he came home. At a local YMCA he put his high school swimming experience to work, helping amputees gain strength through aquatic therapy. In the process, he realized he needed an assistant and called upon his high school sweetheart, Betty O’Rourke. The two were a great team -and an even greater couple. Their "on-and-off" high school romance soon blossomed into matrimony and on Joe’s birthday, September 3, 1948, the two were wed in Pelham, NY. Although Joe had been studying chiropractic medicine at New York University before the wedding, he shortly began working in the graphic arts field that would grow to become a lifetime career. Joe had natural way with people and found his niche in sales. Working his way up from the very bottom, Joe became Vice President and National Director of Sales for the Varn Chemical Company, a national producer of printing chemicals and supplies. The family moved from Bronxville, NY where their daughters, Suzy, Betsy and Mary were born, to Levittown, NY and on to Rockville Centre where their fourth daughter, Julie was born. The years that followed took them to Itasca in 1969. Later living in Lisle for some ten years, they moved to the Geneva area in 2004. Through all the miles, and all the years, Joe kept in touch with many of his friends and customers. He knew and remembered their children and grandchildren. But then, that was only natural for the man who never missed his daughter’s birthdays or any of a host of other special days that brought him home from the road to celebrate. The same values that made him a loving husband and father, created for him an endless career. Even at eighty-three, Joe was still filling supply orders for many of his life long customers. Joe was also a man of deep faith and spiritual commitment throughout his life. His children and grandchildren knew that they were always in his prayers. Especially for more than a decade, Joe and Betty attended mass and adoration every Friday with great devotion. But then again, that was Joe. Consistency and punctuality were the hallmarks of his work, his faith and his family life. Though he may have been a stickler for schedules, time stopped when he was with his grandchildren. It was always a party with grandpa. Whether they were enjoying ice cream, his favorite treat, or cheering on the Bears, his favorite team, everyone had a good time. The lasting memories and the greatest legacy of Joe’s life, was made with his family. SURVIVORS He is survived by his wife, of nearly fifty-nine years, "Betty" of Geneva, IL; Four daughters and their families: Suzy (John) Waters of St. Louis, MO, And their family:Elizabeth and Lauren;Elizabeth "Betsy" (William "Bill") Schnaars of Rockville Centre, NY, And their family:Julianne (Sean) Connolly of Brandon, FL, Bonnie (Robert) Brooks of West Babylon, NY, Mary Kate Schnaars of Rockville Centre, NY andBrian Schnaars, sationed at Pearl Harbor with the U.S. Navy;Mary (Roger) Leiner of River Forest, IL And their family:Christopher,Daniel and Kathleen;Julie (Richard) Malacina of Elburn, IL And their family: Kaitlin,Jenny,Stephanie, Megan andBrooke;One brother, William S. (Stella) Roulhac of Greensboro, NC,And many nieces and nephews. PRECEDED He is preceded in death by his parents, And two sisters: Charlotte Meury and Nannie Siems.MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, and mailed in care of %Fr. Scott Donahue, 140 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607-2906 Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family through Joe’s obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 9, 2007 from 4pm to 7:30pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Friends and family will pray the rosary at 4:30pm and wake services will conclude visitation, beginning at 7:30pm. His funeral mass will be held Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 10:30am at St. Gall Church, Main and Shannon Streets, Elburn (There will be no pre-mass visitation).

Private family commital service.

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