Roache’s huge laugh boomed out from his belly and could fill any room.
A native of Newfoundland, Roche was proud of his French-Canadian name. He loved to tell jokes and make others laugh. He also had a deep, rich singing voice and a very generous heart.
Roche and I had many deep, serious talks, and he was always interested in “going there.” He never shied away from difficult conversations. He loved Urban Hope and would spend hours there chatting with guests and volunteers.
His family was important to him, and he dreamed of returning to Newfoundland “someday,” and I hope he makes it.
Roche loved his cowboy hats and outlaw attitude. When I first got to know Roche, he was living in an Airstream trailer parked in a commercial trucking lot and that really suited him. After a serious bout of cancer the regional government got him into a townhouse. He was thankful, but he missed living in his trailer. I think that trailer better suited his rugged, independent, cowboy-philosopher persona.
