Stephen P. Roche

Stephen P. Roche passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 21 ^st at the age of sixty-six, after a six-month battle with Mesothelioma.

Stephen was born January 24, 1957, and grew up in Winchester, MA, where he graduated from Winchester High School in the Class of 1975.  He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1978 – 1981.  After his honorable discharge from the US Navy, he was hired as a Dispatcher for the Winchester Police Department and eventually became a Winchester Police Officer where he served for many years.  Steve also had a great knack and love of carpentry and fixing things and worked in supervisory roles in property maintenance for many years.

Steve had a passion for life.  He loved his son John Henry, nephew Jared, his life partner Susan, former wife Laura, his family, and many friends.  Steve had childhood friends that remain friends to this day; including the Grove Street Gang at Finnegan’s Basement (who they all swear that 70s Show was scripted from!) Steve also had many friends from the Miami, FL area where he lived for a time, and throughout New England, as well as Navy buddies across the country that he kept in contact with.  To Steve, his friends were his family.

He loved camping and fishing for trout and had a passion for motorcycles and loved riding his Harley.  He made many riding friends over the years.  Thirteen years ago, he met Susan, and they had great adventures traveling on two wheels as a couple, with friends, or meeting new friends along the way.  Steve rode much of the Eastern US over the years and his travels included rides to the Southernmost point in Key West, FL, the Outer Banks, Smokey Mountains, Adirondacks, throughout New England, and up to Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, Canada where he held a 10,000-year-old piece of an iceberg.

Stephen passed on the Summer Solstice.  Somehow that seems fitting to his personality.  Full of fire and passion for his loved ones, many friends, and life.

Stephen is survived by his partner of 13 years Susan M. Garvey and his son John H. Roche. He also leaves his siblings Patricia M. Dewitt and Alan R. Roche, nephews Jared Spence and David Roche, and former spouse Laura Cash.

In addition to his parents Paul H. Roche and Lillian R. Roche, he was predeceased by his sister Elaine M. Hanes.

We invite all to join us on Sunday, July 9 ^th , 12pm – 3pm for a memorial celebration at the American Legion Hall, post 101, 194 Lexington Street, Woburn, MA 01801.

In lieu of flowers you are welcome to donate to St. Jude.