Edward R. Roback, 87, of Utica, passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at the St. Luke's Home after a brief illness. Edward was born in Utica on September 24, 1924, the son of Michael and Josephine (Topolski) Roback. Ed attended Holy Trinity School and was a 1943 graduate of UFA. A World War II veteran, Edward proudly served in the Navy aboard the USS Catoctin. At Holy Trinity Church on June 10, 1950, Edward married the love of his life, Helen Stefanski. Their blessed union lasted for 59 years until her passing in October 2009. Ed was employed at Kelsey-Hayes for 33 years until his retirement. Ed was a member of St. Joseph-St. Patrick's Church in Utica. In his younger days, our Dad enjoyed fishing and camping with his family. He also kept busy with projects around the house-he was quite a handyman. Dad's other hobbies and interests were geography and map reading, Civil War history, picture taking and backyard bird watching. Dad's later years found him traveling with his wife and simply enjoying family moments with his children and grandchildren. Edward's survivors include three daughters and a son-in-law, Linda Roback, Utica, Kathy Roback, Utica, Carol and Robert Synakowski, Holland Patent; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Cira Roback, TX and Glenn and Wendy Roback, NY Mills. Grandpa leaves his eight grandchildren, Joshua Synakowski and wife Kristen, Melissa Synakowski, Brian Roback and wife Maggie, Brendon Roback, Benjamin Roback, James Roback, Jennifer Roback, Jaden Roback and four great-grandchildren, Reagan and Elias Synakowski and Julian and Ethan Roback. Ed leaves his sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Al Paniccia; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Henry (Hank) and Ella Roback, Ray and Joanne Roback, Ron and Kathy Roback; his sister-in-law, Frances Roback, in-laws Eddie and Esther Stefanski, Eileen Stefanski, ex-daughter-in-law, Janet Roback, plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ed also leaves his good friend Lee Buck and Grandpa leaves all his friends at Hannaford's in New Hartford. Edward was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Helen, his brother, Chester Roback and his friend Louis Kaczmarek. Mr. Roback's funeral service with Military Honors will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 10:00 from the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica. Burial will take place in Holy Trinity Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are Monday from 4-7. Those so wishing may make donations to the American Diabetes Association in Edward's memory. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of 3-West of the Allen-Calder wing of Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare and Clark North of the St. Luke's Home for all the loving care given to our dad during his stay.