Obituary for Edward Arthur LaRoche
Edward A. LaRoche, beloved husband, father, papa, great papa, great great papa and friend passed away peacefully at his home March 21, 2024 at the age of 91. He leaves a legacy rich with love, a strong work ethic, and a sense of humor that could make anyone crack a smile.
Born on June 19, 1932, in Dover, NH, Ed grew up in a loving home with his parents, Arthur and Beatrice M. (Therrien) LaRoche and siblings Alice, Rosemarie, Irene, Joanne, and Donald. Ed fell in love with his wife and best friend, Susan, at a young age. Married for 72 years, he and Susan built a legacy that continues on with their beautiful family: son Ronald Paul and wife Donna (Miraldes) LaRoche; son David Edward LaRoche; Linda Susan Gilbert and husband Michael; Sandra Diane LaRoche and fiancé Michael Perkins; Mark Alan and wife Melissa (McAllister) LaRoche. Edward had several grandchildren: Robert Miller, Kevin and wife Shauvon (Goodwin) LaRoche, Brandon and wife Laurel (Plouffe) LaRoche, Tyler and wife Kendra (Barnes) LaRoche, Heather LaRoche and fiancé Justin Chick, Ronald LaRoche, Crystal (LaRoche) Latulippe, Christina LaRoche - Barrows and husband Stacy Barrows, and Molly and Rachel Kenison. He has several great grandchildren: Austin and Alex LaRoche, Jakai LaRoche, Ty, Dre and Isaiah Barrows, Eric and Ella Miller, Skyler Latulippe, Nikolas LaRoche, Charlotte, Lila, Brighton and Nolan LaRoche, Shiloh LaMarco and Kolton LaRoche, Talan, Madden and Jax LaRoche, Amelia Bridges, and a great, great grandchild: Bowen Lord - LaRoche, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In reflecting upon his life, Edward proudly served America and through his strong work ethic, climbed the ranks and retired as Master Sergeant. He is well decorated and as an award describes, “his distinctive accomplishments culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force." Ed then worked and retired from The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and later, Heidelburg Harris.
When Ed wasn’t working, he was a cornerstone of all family gatherings and enjoyed spending time at camp, serenading the crowd, with “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”. In his younger years, he enjoyed riding his Indian motorcycle. He was witty and full of humor and made friends in every country served. You could find him watching the Boston Red Sox and country and western TV shows, tinkering on various electronics in the shed or the electrical in the basement.
Flowers are welcome, or if you wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Edward’s name to Mass General Cancer Center - at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital or The Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org
Friends and family may call from 5-7pm Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Wiggin Purdy McCooey Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave. Dover, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in the Parish of the Assumption at St. Joseph’s Parish, 150 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820 with Father Agapit Jean, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary ‘s Cemetery, Dover Point Road, Dover, NH, with a Celebration of Life to Follow. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com
Born on June 19, 1932, in Dover, NH, Ed grew up in a loving home with his parents, Arthur and Beatrice M. (Therrien) LaRoche and siblings Alice, Rosemarie, Irene, Joanne, and Donald. Ed fell in love with his wife and best friend, Susan, at a young age. Married for 72 years, he and Susan built a legacy that continues on with their beautiful family: son Ronald Paul and wife Donna (Miraldes) LaRoche; son David Edward LaRoche; Linda Susan Gilbert and husband Michael; Sandra Diane LaRoche and fiancé Michael Perkins; Mark Alan and wife Melissa (McAllister) LaRoche. Edward had several grandchildren: Robert Miller, Kevin and wife Shauvon (Goodwin) LaRoche, Brandon and wife Laurel (Plouffe) LaRoche, Tyler and wife Kendra (Barnes) LaRoche, Heather LaRoche and fiancé Justin Chick, Ronald LaRoche, Crystal (LaRoche) Latulippe, Christina LaRoche - Barrows and husband Stacy Barrows, and Molly and Rachel Kenison. He has several great grandchildren: Austin and Alex LaRoche, Jakai LaRoche, Ty, Dre and Isaiah Barrows, Eric and Ella Miller, Skyler Latulippe, Nikolas LaRoche, Charlotte, Lila, Brighton and Nolan LaRoche, Shiloh LaMarco and Kolton LaRoche, Talan, Madden and Jax LaRoche, Amelia Bridges, and a great, great grandchild: Bowen Lord - LaRoche, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In reflecting upon his life, Edward proudly served America and through his strong work ethic, climbed the ranks and retired as Master Sergeant. He is well decorated and as an award describes, “his distinctive accomplishments culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force." Ed then worked and retired from The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and later, Heidelburg Harris.
When Ed wasn’t working, he was a cornerstone of all family gatherings and enjoyed spending time at camp, serenading the crowd, with “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”. In his younger years, he enjoyed riding his Indian motorcycle. He was witty and full of humor and made friends in every country served. You could find him watching the Boston Red Sox and country and western TV shows, tinkering on various electronics in the shed or the electrical in the basement.
Flowers are welcome, or if you wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Edward’s name to Mass General Cancer Center - at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital or The Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org
Friends and family may call from 5-7pm Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Wiggin Purdy McCooey Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave. Dover, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in the Parish of the Assumption at St. Joseph’s Parish, 150 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820 with Father Agapit Jean, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary ‘s Cemetery, Dover Point Road, Dover, NH, with a Celebration of Life to Follow. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com