Thomas J. Roche, age 76, of Woburn for over fifty years formerly of Medford, died April 24th at the Shaugnessy Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem following a lengthy illness. He was the Beloved husband of the late Constance E. (Cahalin). Born in Cambridge he was the son of the late William J. and Edith M. (Dillon) Roche.
Mr. Roche was a graduate of Boston College High School and in 1954 he graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. Following his graduation Mr. Roche went to work in the family business," Roche Bros. Barrel and Drum Co.", eventually becoming the president and owner of the company. Roche Bros. Barrel and Drum Co. was established 1919 and is currently operating in Lowell. Mostly devoted to his family Mr. Roche also enjoyed following the local professional sport teams, especially the New England Patriots.
Mr. Roche is survived by his children, Kevin C. Roche and his wife Elisa of Woburn, Thomas J. Roche Jr. and his wife Natalie of Wilton, CT, Michael D. Roche of Littleton, Julianne Williams and her husband Cameron of Manchester, Amy Melanson and her husband Michael of Reading. He is also survived by twelve loving grandchildren and is further survived by his brother, Charles E. Roche of Winchester, and sisters, Betsy Travers of Andover and Carol LeComte of Londonderry, NH. He predeceased by his brothers, the late Michael W. and Francis X. Roche.
His funeral will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home 60 Pleasant St. Woburn, Wednesday, April 30th, at 10 a.m. followed by funeral mass celebrated in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd. Woburn, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Tuesday 4 thru 8. Services will conclude with interment at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the charity of one's choice.