267 December 2016 - Gryffe Advertizer

@GryffeAds www.advertizer.co.uk december 2016
23
Celebrating 15 years in Johnstone
“With so many more people opting to pay for their funerals in advance, it
does mean we often get to deal with things without the emotional turmoil
that can occur at an at-need funeral arrangement, and this can be so much
easier on the family,” said John. “Whether you are 19 or ninety, you get to
specify what format you would like your funeral to take, fancy with horses and
carriage, or simple no frills or fuss. People don’t generally like to talk about
their demise with family members; it’s sometimes easier with a professional,
one who’ll ask all the right questions, ensuring that the plan is tailored to suit
your requirements.”
Setting up your own business is a massive step, but John has no regrets. ”In
the 15 years I have become more involved in an amazing local community
that has really supported the business and we have tried to give a little back
by supporting our local clubs and societies, and getting involved in fundraising
for charities such as St. Vincent’s.” John is also an active member of The
Johnstone Business Consortium whose work ensures the town remains an
important and valued shopping and community hub.
Visit www.johnroach.co.uk for more information
2016 has been a big year for John Roach. In February he celebrated his
25th wedding anniversary and on December 24th it will be 15 years since
he opened the doors of John Roach Funeral Services at number 4 Houstoun
Square, in Johnstone Town Centre. “It doesn’t feel like 15 years, says John;
that is until I look in the mirror”
Together, the undertakers who work in the business have over 70 years of
experience between them and since opening in 2001 they have carried out
approaching 3,000 funerals in Johnstone and the surrounding area.
As an undertaker, John has had many career highlights, but most recently
has achieved some major recognition from his industry peers, having been
nominated, in both 2015 and 2016 for funeral planner of the year, in Scotland,
by Golden Charter. Honoured just to be nominated, John narrowly missed out
on the gold medal, but was delighted to take his place on the podium as he
accepted his award for being a top 3 fi nalist in both of the years that he was
nominated.
The other two main members of the team are Les Boyce, a local lad from
Linwood, who is well known in the area, with over 20 years of experience in
the trade, and Craig Munro, John’s brother-in-law, who joined the team in
2004. Despite being the baby of the team (by 4 and a half months) Craig has
spent over 28 years working as a funeral director, bringing with him a wealth
of experience in this very specialised business. Together, they combine to
make up, possibly the fi nest team of funeral directors in the West of Scotland,
as many of the testimonials on their website www.johnroach.co.uk would
attest.
It’s perhaps not the fi rst job most of us would “undertake”, however John and
his team get the opportunity to support and help families at their very lowest
time, when they really need a calming presence and sympathetic ear, and
that gives them a great sense of job satisfaction.
This December, all the team at
John Roach Funeral Directors
are signed up for “Decembeard”
where they will all “attempt”
to grow a beard. This charity
fundraises for Bowel cancer
awareness and research. This is
a charity close to their heart as
both John and Craig’s mother-inlaw
died of this disease.
You can support their efforts
by following this link
http://www.justgiving.com/
john-roach-decembeard-2016
You can support their efforts by following
this link
http://www.justgiving.com/john-roach-decembeard-2016
/charitybcuk
@Bowel_Cancer_UK
Bowel Cancer UK is a registered charity number 1071038 (England & Wales) and
SC040914 (Scotland). A company limited by guarantee number 3409832 (England).