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| 17 April 2013
CARTHAGE — When word went out via Facebook of this year’s choice for Carthage Citizen of the Year, the response was "well deserved" and "it’s about time."
Terrence L. Roche was selected by a panel of members of the program’s sponsors, the Elks and the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce, from four nominations.
The retired Army colonel and former Fort Drum garrison commander was nominated by Thomas H. Piche, president and CEO of Carthage Savings & Loan Association.
"In the application, the terms citizenship, achievement, leadership, dedication and motivation are used to describe a person worthy of the title Citizen of the Year," Mr. Piche wrote in his nomination letter. "I can think of no one that better illustrates these words than Terry Roche."
Mr. Roche has been a member of the boards for the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson County, Carthage Central School District Board of Education, Carthage Coordinated Development Group, former Economic Development Corporation of Carthage, Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson Community College Foundation, North Country Affordable Housing Corp., United Way of Northern New York and WPBS-TV and served as co-chairman of the Watertown Mayor’s Ball with his wife, Maria J., in 2001. Currently, Mr. Roche is active with the American Heart Association, Carthage Development Group, Carthage Industrial Development Corp., Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club of Watertown and many activities through St. James Catholic Church.
John F. McHugh, Carthage community development coordinator, said he has worked with Mr. Roche for 10 years.
"These projects do not just happen; they take great effort and tireless enthusiasm," Mr. McHugh said of the redevelopment of the downtown fire site and other improvements to State Street.
The president of the Watertown Rotary Club, Katherine F. Fenlon, said Mr. Roche has been a member of the club since 1984 and has had "an exemplary record of leadership and service."
Mr. Roche has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, which designates a leadership donor to the Rotary Foundation, and has chaired the Purple Heart Scholarship Committee, which awards funds to Purple Heart recipients and their dependants.
"Under Terry’s leadership, nearly $500,000 has been raised toward an endowment that will ensure this scholarship is funded in perpetuity," Ms. Fenlon said.
The nomination was supported by the Rev. George F. Maroun, pastor of St. James Catholic Church; Carl A. McLaughlin, executive director of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization; Derek Davis, general manager of Slack Chemical Co. Inc., and Gilbert H. Pearsall Jr., director of human resources for the Johnson Newspaper Corp.
Mr. Roche will be presented with the award during a dinner April 23 at the Elks Lodge, 511 Fulton St. The cost is $15 per person, payable at the door. Reservations may be made by calling the lodge at 493-1762 by Thursday.
This article written by Elaine Avallone as published in the Watertown Daily Times April 14, 2013
