James A. Roth

James A. Roth, 81, of Hanover, loving husband of Gail L. (Reindollar) Roth, entered into God’s eternal care on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at UPMC Hanover.

Born on Sunday, April 22, 1945 in Gettysburg, he was a son of the late George Henry Roth and Sarah (Stallsmith) Roth. A 1963 graduate of Delone Catholic High School, he served in the US Navy from 1963 to 1969. Affectionately known as Commissioner, Jim was employed by the Hanover Borough Fire Department with more than 42 years of dedicated service, having worked as a firefighter for five years, and later as a Lieutenant for five years before serving as the Commissioner for 32 years. He was a member of Hanover Area Volunteer Fire & Rescue, the International Association of Fire Chiefs – Eastern Division, the Firefighter’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania, the International Association of Firefighters, the Firefighters Association of York County, and was very active with the Greater Hanover Area Fire Museum. Jim was also a member of Redeemer’s United Church of Christ in Littlestown, the American Legion Post #202 in Gettysburg and the Hanover VFW Post #2506.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 57 years, is a son, Eric J. (Kelly Lauer) of Carlisle; a daughter, Megan L. Roth of Ellicott City, MD; three grandsons, Benjamin Lauer, and Noah and Samuel Bussink; a great-grandson, Cooper Lauer; siblings, Jane E. (Robert) Doan, Robert M. (Margret) Roth, and Susan K. Hess; two sisters-in-law, Arline Roth and Mary Jane Duffy; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas R. Roth and Patrick H. Roth; and a son-in-law, Gregory Bussink.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at the Hanover Area Fire & Rescue Station located at 204 Clover Lane in Hanover. Burial will be held privately in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Hanover Area Fire Museum, 134 E. Hanover Street, Hanover, PA 17331.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting PanebakerFuneralHome.com