John A. Roche, of Westport Island and Milton, Mass., died on Jan. 3. John was born in Cambridge, Mass. on June 17, 1934. He was the son of Arthur J. and Evelyn A. (Hanley) Roche.
John graduated from Newton High School in 1952 and Newman Prep in 1953. He served with the U.S. Coast Guard as an electrician in the Construction Detachment in the Pacific for three years and served aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Duane for one year.
After the service John received a degree in civil engineering from Wentworth Institute in Boston, Mass.
He was employed by Coffin & Richardson as a senior designer, assistant project engineer, and resident engineer. He worked in the field conducting site surveys, and designing layout for underground piping for pumping stations for sewer treatment plants in many cities and towns in New England. He especially enjoyed the work he did in Corinna, Hartland and Jay.
John was also employed in the underground divisions of Badger and Raytheon Engineers and Constructors.
On Nov. 22, 1969 John married Maureen F. Owens. They met in the lift line at Attitash. For the past 40 years, they have resided in Milton, Mass. and Westport Island. They spent their time together doing so many things they loved, skiing, gardening, snow maintenance and waterfront management. John was always eager to begin the spring ritual of lawn mowing and he took pride in home improvements that kept with the character of his Westport Island home. He always set aside his chores to gunkhole along the shores of Downeast Maine aboard his sailboat the Koralei. He was a member of New England Water Works Association.
John was predeceased by his brothers, Charles L. Roche in 2004, and William F. Roche in 2005.
He is survived by his beloved wife Maureen F. (Owens) Roche of Westport Island and Milton, Mass.; brother, Arthur J. Roche Jr. and wife Margaret of San Diego, Cal.; sisters, Anne Shea Pearson of Westport Island and Evelyn Grace Manning and husband John J. of Waldoboro; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visiting hours 4-7 p.m., Wed., Jan. 6 at Daigle Funeral Home, 40 Federal St., Wiscasset. Mass of Christian burial 10 a.m., Thurs., Jan. 7 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Newcastle. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Human Resources Committee, 6 Fowles Point Rd., Westport Island, ME 04578, The Westport Island Volunteer Fire Department, 6 Fowles Point Rd., Westport Island, ME 04578 or to The Beacon Hospice, 54 Atlantic Place, South Portland, ME 04101.
Condolences may be made online at www.daiglefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Daigle Funeral Home, Wiscasset.
