Thomas Patrick Roche, age 74, died on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at The Nicol Home in Glasco, Kansas.
Mr. Roche was born on July 22, 1946, in Massena, New York, to John "Jack" Roche and Joan Jordan Roche. The family moved to Concordia, Kansas when Mr. Roche was three years old. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and graduated from Concordia High School in 1964 and from NCK Technical College in 1970. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donita Hughes, for whom he lovingly cared during her long-term illness, and by his parents and step-son, Brian Johnson.
Mr. Roche was the proud father of three children, Stacy Novak (Topeka), Robert Roche (Concordia), and Amber Roche Finegan (Alec) (Belleville) and stepdaughter Amanda Garman and family, (Concordia). He is survived by six grandchildren, Kylie Novak (Taiwan), Brittany Novak (Chicago), Pennylane Roche (Concordia), Gwyneth Finegan (Belleville), and Syd and Joanee Roche (Topeka). His sister, Barbara Roche Gaines (Steven) of The Villages, FL and brother John Michael Roche (Catie) of Rocky Mount, NC, also survive him, along with several nieces and nephews.
At the age of 13, Mr. Roche began spending summers at the Bryant Thurston farm, learning all aspects of farming and machine repair, with Bryant teaching him many of the skills which guided his career. "Bones" as Tom was known for his tall, slim stature, continued a close, lifelong friendship with Thurston. In 1965, Mr. Roche enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for four years, earning the rank of Petty Officer First Class, and where he became a hard hat diver. His duty station was Key West, Florida. After his discharge, he returned to Concordia, Kansas for a short time where he met and married Theresa Grennan. He and the family spent a time in Colorado where Mr. Roche worked on the Eisenhower Tunnel, another of his proud accomplishments.
In 1973, he returned to Key West where he worked in the construction trade with his father and brother and engaged his love of the water. Many homes in Key West bear his handiwork. One of his favorite memories of Key West is the construction of his 22-foot sailboat, Poco Poco, which took him five years to complete.
Mr. Roche brought his family back to rural Kansas in 1984, where he settled in Jamestown. He operated a bar, did woodworking, truck driving, and even served as the mayor of Jamestown. He was especially proud of the wooden stools, chairs and decorations he designed and made for the Rock Quarry. In 1992, he joined the firm of HABCO, where he worked as a construction superintendent for 28 years. His handiwork can be found in many ethanol plants, factories, and granaries throughout the Midwest.
Mr. Roche loved cooking, and was known to have invited practically the whole town of Jamestown to his backyard for shrimp and fish cookouts on many a summer night. His generosity to family and friends was well known, as some have remarked, "Tom would give you the shirt off his back and then give you another $50 to buy a better one." His children and friends remember him for his great sense of humor and his love of woodworking. With the aid of his daughter, Amber, he designed and created wooden car models given as prizes at the Jamestown car show. In addition to being an inveterate boater and fisherman, Mr. Roche loved to hunt and trap, a passion that he shared with his children.
Memorial contributions may be given to the O'Connor Animal Shelter, 104 Industrial Ave., Concordia, KS 66901 in c/o of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home.
Cremation has taken place and a Private family graveside will be held at a later time.