Richard P. Roche

Natick - Mr. Richard P. Roche, of Natick, formerly of Waltham, died Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at the Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick. He was 73. Born in Waltham, a son of the late Peter and Elizabeth (LeFort) Roche, Richard was appointed to the Waltham Fire Department on July 4, 1965. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant on December 1, 1974 and he retired on April 26, 1996 after thirty-one years of dedicated service to the Fire Department and to the City of Waltham. Richard was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local No. 866, a longtime member of the Wayland Country Club and an avid golfer. He was a member of the Board of Directors at the Hurley House in Waltham for many years. Richard was well known to many for always lending a helping hand and was a very caring gentleman. He was very proud to be a Blind Senior National Golf Coach for the United States Blind Golfers Association 62nd National Championship in 2007, where he coached his good friend, Joe Lazaro. Richard was a Korean War veteran serving with the United States Marine Corp. He leaves his devoted wife of fifty-two years, Jean A. (Hapenney) Roche; his loving children, Pamela M. Dearborn of Framingham, Cynthia J. St. Hilaire of Kingston Springs, Tennessee, Richard P. Roche, Jr. of Acton, Loreen A. Coraccio and Jeananne Roche-Mahoney both of Natick; three sisters, Emilie Dion of West Palm Beach, Florida, Rita Doyle of Hudson, New Hampshire, and Claudette Coto of Lowell. Richard was also the proud grandfather of twelve grandchildren, one great-grandchild and he also leaves many nieces and nephews. He was also a brother of the late Edgar Roche and Elizabeth 'Betty' Wilson. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral at 9 a.m. Saturday from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of Saint Charles Borromeo Church, 51 Hall Street, Waltham at 10 a.m. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hurley House, 12 Lowell Street, Waltham, MA 02452.