Mr. Romeo D. Laroche, 95, formerly of 509 Champlain Street, Berlin, NH passed away on Wednesday April 21, 2010 at St. Vincent de Paul Rehab & Nursing Center. He was born in Berlin, NH on March 25, 1915 the son of Willie/ and Juliette (Valliere) Laroche and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from St. Regis Academy and later served in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He worked for the Brown Company for 47 years before retiring in 1977. Mr. Laroche was an avid golfer and was a past winner of the Brown Company Cup. He was also captain of the local American Legion baseball team. “Rum” , as he was affectionately called by family and friends, played hockey for the Berlin Hockey Club and later the Berlin Maroons. After his retirement, he played “pickup” hockey at the arena and on the Green Street rink and was a regular at the arena for public skating well into his eighties. On July 29, 1940, he married Claire Huot and together they raised three children.
Members of the family include his wife of nearly 70 years, Claire (Huot) Laroche of Berlin, NH; three sons Ronald K. Laroche and wife Sharon of Berlin, NH, Dennis R. Laroche and wife Diane of Berlin, NH and Giles Laroche of Salem, MA; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 1 sister Mrs. Kenneth (Leona) Drapeau of Farmington, CT; 2 brothers Albert “Barney” Laroche of Berlin, NH and Eugene “Gene” Laroche of Berlin, NH; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother Armand Laroche and a sister Yvette (Laroche) Roy.
SERVICES: A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday morning April 27, 2010 at 11 AM at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin, NH. Interment will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Anyone who wishes may make a donation to either the A.V. Home Care Services, 795 Main St., Berlin, NH 03570 or to the St. Vincent de Paul Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, 29 Providence Avenue, Berlin, NH 03570 in his memory.