Edward Roc “Paa T”, 56, of Owings Mills, MD and Accra, Ghana, died Friday, July 15, 2016 at Johns-Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Born January 26, 1960 in Ghana, he was the son of the late N.K. Okai and the late Mary Karley Adotey. He was also the beloved husband of Doreen Afriyie Acheapong.
Edward was an attorney and, for several years in between practicing law, a special aids teacher in New York City. He was also the special counsel to the Human Rights Commission in Ghana before going into private practice, where he helped seek justice for several citizens whose properties had been confiscated by the state or who had their civil rights violated. He was an avid soccer fan and a staunch supporter of Accra Hearts of Oaks (Phobia).
Eddie Roc graduated in 1990 from the University of Ghana (Legon) with a B.A. in Sociology and was called to the Ghana Bar after completing Ghana Law School in 1992. He was a member in good standing of the Ghana Bar Association, a pledged member of the “Vandals” Fraternity of the Commonwealth Hall of UG, and a founding member of “Table of Men”.
Most of his adult life was devoted to serving his family, friends, and loved ones and providing pro bono legal services to the indigent. He also played a significant role in the traditional matters of Achimota and the OkaiWe family, variously serving as secretary, youth leader, and legal consultant.
Surviving in addition to his wife are 2 children, Stanley Roc of Michigan, and Jillian Naa Roc of Ghana; 5 siblings, Nicholas Okai, Seika Haruna, Stephen Okai, and Andrew Okai, all of Ghana, and Okai “Kojo” Davis of Emmitsburg, MD; cousins Stella Aryiku of London, UK, Joanna Patterson of Landover, MD; Maud Aryee & Nii Ankrah Aryee, Regina Quartey, Jonas Alex Okai, and Emma Nortey, all of Owings Mills, MD; Korkor Okai of Bronx, NY; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Sydney Roc.
A funeral service to celebrate Edward’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens near Frederick, MD. The family will gather to receive friends at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.