Holiday, FL: John W. Roche, 80, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 the Morton Plant North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey, Florida following a brief illness.
He was born in Maynard on August 9, 1932 the son of the late Patrick Roche and Florence (Powers) Roche.
John is survived by his sons, Timothy J. Roche of Leominster and Thomas P. Roche and his wife Pamela of Northbridge. Also survived by his companion and friend Lillie Searles of Holiday, FL. John was the grandfather of Brandon Roche, Beth Roche, Samantha Roche, Bradley Roche, Shannon Roche, Kristin Roche and Whitney Roche, one great-grandson and leaves several nieces and nephews. He was the husband of the late Bertha E. (Phylis) Roche who died on July 29, 1994.
John had been a lifelong resident of Wayland before retiring to Holiday, Florida in 1994. He was a graduate of Wayland High School and attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He served his country proudly during the Korean Conflict with the United States Navy. John retired in 1993 after 42 years of dedicated service to the Town of Wayland as the Superintendent of the Water Department.
In his earlier years he enjoyed camping with his family throughout New England, hunting and taking his sons fishing. For the past 20 years he has spent his summers in Price Edward Island and his winters at his residence in Holiday, Florida. He was devoted to his family and friends and enjoyed the time he spent with them.
Visitations will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Rd (Off Rte 30), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 9:15 AM followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at the Good Shepherd Parish at St. Zepherin’s Church, 99 Main Street (Rte 27), Cochituate Village, Wayland.
Interment will follow in the Roche family lot in Lakeview Cemetery in Cochituate.
For those who desire, memorial gifts in John’s memory may be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice.
For online condolences and directions, please visit www.johncbryanfuneralhome.com.