Richard S. Roche of Port Washington, NY was born on March 20, 1933 in
Brooklyn NY, the fifth child of Arthur S Roche and Kathryn Sullivan
Roche, and died on February 14, 2023 after a brief illness. He was 89.
After graduating from High School,  Dick began his 40-year career as a
Sandy Hook Harbor Pilot in the Port of NY.  A Korean War Veteran, he
was stationed in Ft Eustis, VA for two years in the Army Marine
Transportation Corps on a supply ship. In 1958 he married his
sweetheart Marilyn Wengler,  whom he was devoted to for 64 years. They
settled in Garden City, NY and raised their three children, Richard J.
Roche (Marybeth) Rosemary E. Joralemon (Bob) and Bernadette M.
Roche (Bill Spare). They have nine grandchildren, Christopher,
Katherine, and Caroline Roche, David (Jessica) Thomas, and William
Joralemon (Bobbyjo), Rebecca, Danielle (Justin) and Emmy Spare, and
eight great-grandchildren, Anthony Joralemon, Darius McKindra, Liam
Joralemon, Madison Crowley, Lillian Joralemon, Ava Joralemon, Jackie Spare, and
Jameson Joralemon, all of whom were his pride and joy.
 

Dick loved his career as a 5th generation Harbor pilot, and could trace
his pilot roots back to Ireland. He was well known in NY Harbor as a
member and chairman of the Port Promotion Committee, Save our Port,
Operation Sail 1986 and many others, A devout Catholic and parishioner
of St Joseph’s Church, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and
sang in the church choir. After retiring he volunteered as a teacher’s
aide for math and English, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic school. He
was an avid reader, a natural teacher, and an amateur inventor.
 

He was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Kathryn Roche, his
brothers Arthur Roche Jr, John Roche, Warren Roche, and his sister Mary
Rita O’Brien, and is survived by wife Marilyn, his three children, his
grandchildren and great grandchildren.