Obituaries

THOMAS GERARD ROCHE

December 26, 1958 – November 1, 2024

With profound sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Tom Roche on Friday, November 1, 2024 at St. Boniface Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was 65 years old.

Tom leaves to mourn him, his wife Velvet, and his sons Karsten, Regen, and Lachlan. Tom is also survived by his sisters Mary Pat and Kathy Pelland (Ken), his sisters in-law Cheryl Latozke (Lynn), Doreen Oversby (Craig), Cindy Graham (Rodney), brother in-law Darcy Kutzy (Lisa Rohl) and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Tom is predeceased by his parents Patrick and Josephine, and his brother Kevin.

Tom was born December 26, 1958 in Grimsby, Ontario. His family moved throughout Ontario to Niagara Falls and Simcoe, eventually settling in Thunder Bay. Tom graduated from Hammarskjold High School, followed by a year working as a crew chief for his father at Loblaws, and then studying helicopter maintenance at Confederation College. This lead him to take a job in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. He eventually followed his sisters to Winnipeg, and in true Manitoba fashion met the love of his life, Velvet Kutzy, at a social on May 8, 1981. They were married July 7,1984.

On July 20, 1981, Tom began his employment as an aircraft maintenance engineer with Standard Aero Limited, the organization with which he would spend the better part of his career. Tom worked his way up and was chosen to participate in the BTR DEP Americas Program through the Whittemore Business school at the University of New Hampshire, graduating in November 1998. In 1999 he accepted a position in Sydney, Australia that would take his family of four on a three year Aussie adventure, which resulted in close friendships and a family of five. He returned to Winnipeg in 2002 serving most recently as Vice President of Helicopter, Turbo Prop, and Corporate Customer Service. After 32 years with Standard Aero, an opportunity arose to literally make money as the Senior Director with the Royal Canadian Mint. He took pride in sharing the newest creations by giving coins out to family and friends, which he continued to do after his retirement in 2021. In reflection upon this time in his life he stated “I enjoyed my careers. I just had fun. Looking back it was a lot of fun!”

He was beloved as a manager, always seeking opportunities to elevate those around him and help them advance in their own careers. He truly loved being in a position to assist, and enjoyed watching the progress of those he mentored.

Ever community-minded, Tom served on the Phoenix Recreation Board for 8 years, and the Board of Directors for the Headingley Community Foundation beginning in 2017. In 2018 he was successful in his bid to become a Councillor for the RM of Headingley, upon re-election in 2022 he was appointed Deputy Mayor. Tom so enjoyed his work with the council. “They’re all good people and all the other groups I worked with the Chamber, the Foundation, the Museum, all great people with a great vision for our community.”

Tom made many treasured memories when he took his family on multiple trips to Ireland to reconnect with his Irish heritage. There he found a sense of belonging and history as relatives that he had just met took him and his family in and made them feel so at home. Reconnecting at the Roche family reunions in the U.S. in 2016, and then in 2023 back in Ireland, further strengthened his love of his extended family. This year saw Tom and Velvet traveling to Florida, Arizona, Maryland and Western Canada to catch up with their sons, friends, and other family members.

In his free time, Tom enjoyed golfing, watching sports and working in the yard. Growing up in Ontario he was a lifelong Leafs fan, however he became a huge fan and supporter of Winnipeg sports. When the Leafs played against the Jets, his loyalty was divided so he’d cheer for a good game. His love of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lead him to witness the team’s 2019 Grey Cup victory in Calgary, Alberta. That was an experience of a lifetime and he has savoured many W’s since with treasured friends. Go Blue!

Tom was also an avid music fan, with favourite artists such as Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Poco, Kansas, and the Eagles. He would often end an evening with friends by putting on a DVD of the Eagles 1994 live album, pouring a glass of Jameson and singing along to his favourite songs with any stragglers.

Tom was a man whose faith was central in his life, and he imparted this to his family. Tom lived his faith through his actions in both his personal and professional life. He gave of his time to church council and served as a worship assistant for many years.

Above all, Tom loved and was devoted to his wife and family. He took pride in, and encouraged, his sons many endeavours attending innumerable games and concerts, and offering advice in their lives and careers. His wit and wisdom were valued aspects of his character and he emphasized the importance of always including humour in our lives. Tom will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and brother, he was a great mentor and role model to all, and a fierce and compassionate friend. He was one of the greats. He is loved, he will be missed, but he is with us always and forever.

A service will be held on Thursday, November 7 at 3:00 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 637 Buckingham Road in Charleswood.

The replay of the service may be viewed on Gloria Dei’s YouTube channel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honour to the Headingley Community Foundation at www.headingleyfoundation.ca

The Journey of My Spirit 

If I were a pessimist, I would think

about how far I have to go; but, being a

reasonable optimist, I think about how

far I have come. Nothing about God’s

infinite creativity so amazes me as his

continuous creating of me.

While my physical life spirals down,

my spiritual life spirals upwards. I zig,

I zag, sometimes go around in circles.

Sometimes God has to push me; other

times He has to pull me; still other

times He gives me the courage just to

follow wherever He leads me. But the

journey of my spirit, the saga of my soul,

is always moving higher and higher, and

the path is always straighter than it seems

to me at the time.

For God charts the map for my soul,

and Christ is my soul’s guide. By their

divine and amazing grace, I am what

I am this day and can depend on being

more than this in the days to come.

My cup runs over with love.

By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace

toward me was not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:10a