Bowling fundraiser in Latham nets more than $50K for Noah Roman

Spare Time was packed with people and activity for much of Sunday afternoon, and while most everyone seemed to be having fun, there was no mistaking the sadness.

“Focus on the positive,” read Tim Stowell’s T-shirt.

Less than a week after the murder-suicide involving Colonie police officer Israel Roman and two members of his family, however, that wasn’t easy to do.

A bowling fundraiser, usually held on behalf of childhood cancer research, instead was used Sunday to raise money for 15-year-old Noah Roman, the only surviving member of the immediate family.

Last Tuesday, Israel Roman shot his wife, Deborah, and 10-year-old son, Nathan, to death before setting their Latham home on fire and then committing suicide. Noah, a sophomore at Shaker High, was at a school basketball game at the time.

At 6:15 p.m. Sunday, Stowell announced that more than $50,000 had been raised at the bowling center.

“When all the pieces came together earlier this week and I realized it was Noah’s family, I realized that we had to do something for him,” said Stowell, a Latham resident who has held four previous bowling fundraisers to fight cancer since 2010.

“It’s a terrible loss and a tragedy, but my focus right now is on Noah and making sure he is OK,” Stowell said. “So we’re donating all the money to Noah and his family, his guardians. This turnout has been amazing. This is by far the biggest crowd we’ve ever had.”

Stowell’s son, Ben, a close friend of Noah’s, died in 2009 after battling cancer.

“This is what Ben would have wanted us to do,” Stowell said. “I can remember Noah speaking at Ben’s funeral, and how he said their friendship was to be forever. He said he would always be his best friend. Ben would have told me that we need to do something to help Noah out, and that’s what we’re doing. This is my way of fulfilling Ben’s legacy. I’m doing exactly what Ben would have wanted me to do.”

Stowell’s event usually is called Bowling for Ben, with the recipient being Ben’s Green Drakkoman Hero Fund Raiser. Typically, the proceeds go to St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help fight childhood cancer.

“What we’re going to do is set up a trust for Noah,” Stowell said. “It’s been a wonderful day. We’ve charged $25 a person, and every lane in the center is being used. People get to bowl two games and have some pizza and soda. We’re probably going to fill up the place twice.

“Spare Time Latham has been great, giving us the whole place, and we’ve had a lot of local businesses come together and provide items for our auction.”

Elizabeth Michaels, who helped Stowell run the event, said she was amazed at the turnout.

“Many people had special Valentine’s plans, but instead they ended up coming here,” said Michaels, who lives in Latham. “Usually we’re here for Ben’s Green Drakkoman fundraiser, but we felt like we needed to step up and dedicate today’s event to Noah.”

The bowling center was filled with people throughout the afternoon, and every lane was in use.

“It’s amazing; it’s empowering what this community has done,” Michaels said. “To come together and rally around this young man during this time is very important. I’m sure he’s overwhelmed with what’s gone on, and hopefully this outpouring and love and support will help him deal with everything. We’re sending him our love.”

At Sunday’s event, few people wanted to discuss publicly what happened Tuesday night. Stowell said most everyone is still stunned by the murder-suicide.

“I knew the family pretty well, and I’ve talked to people who knew them even closer, and there’s no one who saw anything or even has a clue as to why it happened,” Stowell said. “I don’t know what goes through someone’s mind. This kind of situation is beyond my comprehension.”

The Colonie Police Benevolent Association also has set up a GoFundMe page for Noah.

A memorial for Israel Roman was held Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Latham. A funeral for Deborah and Nathan Roman will be Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Port Jervis.

Reach Gazette reporter Bill Buell at 395-3190 or [email protected]

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