Pearl Harbor Survivor
Frederick Roche, 94, of Austin, Texas, died at home on May 25, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Frederick was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 6, 1917 to Frederick Lawrence Roche, Sr. and Catherine MacDonald Roche. Frederick graduated from Watertown High School in 1935. He then joined his father's painting business along with his brother Paul. Frederick also worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps for a brief period during the Great Depression. Frederick joined the U.S. Navy in 1940. He served his country for six years and was honorably discharged as Radioman First Class, RM1C. He and his brother were aboard the USS Vestal, which was moored to the USS Arizona, on the morning of December 7, 1941. They both survived the attack and spent the remainder of the war in the South Pacific. He also participated in the Bikini Atoll atom bomb tests in 1946. After the war, Frederick worked for Western Union. A number of times he was transferred from the West coast to the East coast and back. The children have many fond memories of those trips across the country on Route 66 back in the 50's. He moved from California to Austin in 1981, after his retirement, to be near family.
Frederick married Esther Mary Cooper on November 22, 1947. They were married for 46 years until her death in 1993. He is also preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter Celine Kathleen Logan. Frederick is survived by his six children and their spouses, Mary Ellen and husband Charles Smreker of Austin, Christine Anne of Brookings, Oregon, Linda Susan of Houston, Michael Frances and wife Gina of Corona, California, Kathleen Mary and husband Joseph Funk of Austin, and Peter Lawrence of Irvine California; 10 grandchildren Eric Milfeld and wife Sandra, Amber Milfeld-Guerrero and husband Thomas, Aaron Thomas, Benjamin Thomas, Carley Thomas, Justin Ellwanger, Sara Means-McFaul and husband Duston, Paul Roche, and Mark Funk; 9 great-grand children, Joshua Stern, Colleen, Sean, and Timothy Milfeld, Jack and Joseph Guerrero, and Henry, Madeline, and Matthew McFaul.
The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Helmer III for his compassionate care over the past 10 years. A special thanks to his nurse Laura Wendlandt and to Hospice Austin for their kindness and support during a difficult time.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday June 2, 2012, at 4:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park. An Irish wake will follow at the home of Mary Ellen Roche.
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