Thomas F. Roche Jr.

Portland-Thomas F. Roche, Jr., 87, of Rosedale Street, died Friday, February 20th at home. Born in Lewiston, Maine on September 6, 1927 to Thomas F. Sr. and Helen M. Mangan Roche. Tom moved with his family to Portland in 1936 where he lived for the rest of his life. He graduated from Cheverus High School, Portland Junior College and Boston University, and he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He spent many years as a salesman for Northeastern Wallpaper and Martin Wallpaper travelling throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and he easily navigated along back roads and through small towns. Tom enjoyed summers at Higgins Beach where his family built one of the original cottages. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph Church, and he took great pride in being a greeter at the Sunday 8 a.m. Mass. In recent years, he was a regular attendee at daily Mass and very much enjoyed the post Mass coffee gatherings at McDonalds. A member of the Bishop Amedee Proulx Knights of Columbus Council, Tom often served as a cook at the breakfasts and dinners put on by the Council. He was happiest when he was helping others, be it snow blowing a driveway, providing a ride to the doctor or directing traffic at the church fair. Tom will be remembered for his sharp mind and his generous spirit. Tom met his future wife, Millicent Wight, at the Puritan restaurant in downtown Portland. They were married from 1951 until her death in 1995. He was a steadfast and beloved husband, father and grandfather. Tom is survived by his son Tom and his wife Andrea (Glen), his daughter Melissa and her husband Michael Carifio, his grandchildren Kevin and Becca Carifio, and his brother-in-law Thomas Wight and his wife Anna. He was predeceased by his sister, Mildred A. Roche. Visiting hours will be held from 3:00 to 6:00pm Monday, February 23rd at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland Maine. Prayers will be recited at 8:15am at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 24th followed by a 9:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Josephs Church, 673 Stevens Ave., Portland, Maine. Burial will follow at Brooklawn Cemetery, Portland, Maine. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com Those who wish may make contributions in Toms memory to: Animal Refuge League, PO Box 336, Westbrook, Maine 04098.