John J. Roche, 90, of North Haven passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Masonicare Health Center, Wallingford with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of 63 years to Ann DeMartino Roche. John was born in New Haven on January 7, 1927; son of the late John and Anne Hasty Roche; served his country faithfully in the US Army Air Corp durng WW II and had worked for both the Branford Armory and New Haven Armory on Orange Street and later for the former Marlin Firearms of North Haven for many years until his retirement. John was one of the founding board members of the North Haven Youth Hockey Program in the early 70’s and coached several teams, at one point there were three generations of the Roche family on the ice together. He later taught skating for the New Haven Youth Hockey Program at Yale and for the Wallingford Hawks and the Greater New Haven Warriors. He was a member of the Elm City Gun Club (ECGC); member of the North Haven Senior Center where he sang in the choir and was a parishioner of St. Barnabas Church where he tended the flag every day for many years. He also had a love for dogs and horses. Father of Thomas Roche (Joan), Jacqueline Giorgio (Peter), Ann Kohler (Bud) and Nina Manguilli (George). Grandfather of Jamie Roche Stephan (David), Thomas Roche, Spencer, Connor, Avery and Perris Giorgio, Braedon, Riley and Liam Kohler, Emory and Chloe Manguilli. Predeceased by a sister Margaret Pecylak.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue Monday morning at 10:30. Family and friends may call from 9:00 to 10:30 am. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Barnabas Church at 11:00. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
Our condolences to Tootie, and everyone. May you find comfort in your memories.
Barbara and Nicholas Hatje
Dear Anne & family, I have wonderful fond memories of us sitting on the porch in the summers long ago. I truly miss those days. Jack was such a simple but wise man. He taught me a lot about dogs & I always laughed at his jokes good or bad. His memory lives on when I look across the street. Bless you Mr Roche
My deepest condolences on the passing of Jack, a wonderful husband and father. May God comfort you with His love, grace and mercy, for he is now in a better place.
To be abscent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Love,
Eve Correia
Aunt Tootsie and Cousins, We are sorry we can not attend the services for Uncle Jack. He will always be remembered by us for his kind and warm personality, singing at our family gatherings and of course his jokes. Our sympathy is with you at this difficult time. Love, Ergie and Ken