Thomas J.F. Roche

Published in The Hartford Courant on June 23, 2010

Thomas J.F. Roche of West Hartford and Torrington died peacefully on Saturday, (June 19, 2010).

Tom was born in Hartford to Thomas and Sara (Sheridan) Roche on April 14, 1921.

He was a gifted athlete who played baseball, football, and basketball on many Hartford area teams. He also played minor league baseball for the Detroit Tigers organization as a pitcher.

Later, he played baseball and became a boxer in the United States Marine Corps where he achieved the rank of corporal and received a medal of good conduct. He was a drill instructor and a rifle marksman.

Before his retirement,Tom worked as a salesman and a security guard throughout the Hartford area.

Tom leaves a sister and brother-in-law Sally and Bob Cohan of Farmington. He was predeceased by a brother and a sister William Roche and Mickey Johnson.

He will be greatly missed by his children and their spouses Thomas and Susan Roche of Marietta, CA, Lois and Patrick Conlon of Costa Mesa, CA, and Bradley and Lisa Roche of Torrington.

He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Christopher, Natalie, and Ryan Roche and Patrick and Monica Conlon.

A memorial service will be held for family and friends at Phalen Funeral Home, 285 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, CT from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 25. Burial will be private. www.phalenfuneral.com.