Thomas J. Roche's Obituary
Thomas James Roche, age 80, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 27, 2017, at Regional Medical Center Bayonette Pointe in Hudson, Fl. Tom was born July 24, 1937, in Hackensack, NJ to James and Mae (Kleber) Roche. He was a graduate of Lodi High School class of 1955.
Tom proudly served the United States Army where he toured Germany, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Hawaii as a Military Police Officer. He married Phet Som Phone on October 22, 1975, in Bangkok, Thailand. After he retired from the military, Tom owned and operated his own retail business dealing in pottery, jewelry, household goods, electronics and antiques in Matthews, GA. He loved being a small business owner and interacting with people in his community. He moved to Hudson, FL 17 years ago to be near his parents and loved the warm weather year around and the commradery he found at several VFWs he frequently visited. Tom truly lived life to the fullest; joking with friends and family, dancing or playing games, and loved watching movies and sports especially Baseball. Tom had a kind heart and a bright smile which made it very easy for him to make friends with all types of people.
He is survived by his wife, Phet Som Phone; a daughter, Roselyn (Roche) Schlabach; a step son TuTu Sivised; a son-in-law Anistascio "Luis" Lopez. Family, friends, and others whose lives Tom touched are invited to the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell FL-at 11am on Friday 10/13/17. Immediately following the funeral persession, the family will have a Celebration of Life at the VFW Post 8681 which he was a proud member of in Shady Hills, FL from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, just chat like Tom would have wanted.
What’s your fondest memory of Thomas?
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Share a story where Thomas' kindness touched your heart.
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