"For Shirley, Dewey, Syndee, and Stefani-- I met you all when I became your neighbor in 1973, when George and Joyce sold me the summer cottage across from their house on Bayside Avenue. I lived there for three years and remember your folks as being very helpful and good neighbors--always friendly. George sure taught me a lot about working on houses. He always had the perfect answer to any house-related question -?he was really smart that way. I remember George and Joyce fondly."
In loving memory of
George Dewick Roche
February 12, 1921 - May 17, 2007
Portsmouth, RI - George Dewick Roche, 86, formerly of 18 South Drive, Portsmouth, RI, died Thursday, May 17, 2007 at Village House Nursing Home, Newport, RI. He was the husband of the late Joyce Sherman Roche. Born in Newport, RI on Feb. 12, 1921, he was the son of the late Arthur J. and Mary Shea Roche.Mr. Roche served in the United States Army during World War II. He attended de La Salle Academy. Mr. Roche worked for the Town of Portsmouth in the public works department from 1945 to 1947, at the Portsmouth Fire Department from 1947 to 1950 and then from 1950 to 1996 as a carpenter for himself and for the Government. He also built the piers and worked on the Harbor Barge. He is survived by his children George D. ?Dewey? Roche, Jr. of Portsmouth, RI, Shirley Mello of Middletown, Suzanne Sousa of Tiverton, RI, Syndee Schaeffer of Newport, RI, and Stefani Roche of Portsmouth, RI, his grandchildren, David A. Roche, Julie E. Roche, Gregory D. Mello, Stephanie M. Laurin, Christian J. Mello, Dustin N. Perry, Hayden Schaeffer, Joshua S. Dondero, Lucas N. Dondero and Sarah B. Dondero, five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.He was the grandfather of the late George D. ?Gig? Roche, and the brother of the late Arthur J. Roche, Edmund F. Roche, Joseph C. Roche, Walter S. Roche and Robert T. Roche.His funeral will be held on Monday, May 21, 2007 at 10:00 am in Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.Burial will be private.Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2007 from 4-7 pm in the Funeral Home. Donations in his memory may be made to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Wagon Fund, P.O. Box 806, Portsmouth, RI 02871, the Middletown Rescue Wagon Fund, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842 or to the American Cancer Society, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, 02903.
Tributes
"Dewey,Shirley,and Siblings So sorry to hear of the death of your dad.It doesn't seem that long ago when we were all at the summer house on the river-your mom made the best iced tea and your dad gave me,Dewey and Mike Rurak a hard time and some beer.I have good thoughts for both of them."
"The way your Dad greeted me always made me feel welcome. I remember his kindness to me when I started out in Real Estate. He gave me a beautiful ships ladder for my loft apartment on Brinley Street in Newport. It was the centerpiece of the place. The craftmanship and pride He instilled in Dewey lives on in my Home in Ft Lauderdale that Dewey has been helping me remodel. And yes, Dewey yells at me when I make a mistake the same way his Dad yelled at him. We have laughed about it. We will probably be yelling at David the same way when we help him remodel his new home. David will do his impression of his Grandpa. We will laugh and smile and think of George and then get back to doing the job the right way. His memory will live on. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Michael"
"To Stefani and Susie and family... just to let you know that you and your dad are in our prayers..... xoxo"
"Dewey, You and your family are in my thoughts. Michael T."