John J. Roche

John (Jack) Roche of Woburn, MA left this earth on May 3, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer, to join his beloved wife, Phyllis together in Heaven's peace, where every day is a trip to Maine and all their golf shots are holes in one.







John was the son of the late Margaret (Madge) Ring and John Roche Sr. Born and raised in Cambridge, was a graduate of Boston College, and upon completion of several happy years in the military, owned and operated, together with his longtime friend and business partner, Dick Dunn, the Highland Farms chain of supermarkets. During his successful career, John was also very proud of his affiliation with the Mass Food Association, where he was honored to serve as President for 4 years, Past Director of The Boston Retail Grocers Association, in addition to serving as Treasurer of the New England Food Foundation. Of all his accomplishments, however, he is proudest of the loving and caring children and grandchildren he and Phyllis shared and of the many friends they gathered throughout the years. He was passionate of all things Boston, particularly our sports teams and especially his beloved BC Eagles.





John will be long remembered for so many good qualities, but in particular his kindness, integrity, loyalty, and always seeing the glass half full, (not to mention that "Irish Wit" in relating funny stories (and long tales). He was so fond of saying, "No Sweat, 50 years from now and this won't matter" In addition to Phyllis, John was pre-deceased by a daughter Cathy and a infant son, John, and infant daughter Mary. He is survived by his daughters, Karen Quaglieri and her husband Paul of Woburn, with whom he happily spent his last ten years. Debbie Simard and her husband Steven of Pepperell, sons Kevin Roche and his wife Kellie of Wakefield, and Brian Roche of Conway, NH. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Amanda Quaglieri, Amber and Paige Simard, and Kevin, Brendan, John and Patrick Roche, as well as his brother Ted Roche and wife Mary of Medway and sister Marie Alfieri of Rockport, in addition to many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and valued friends, including Dick Dunn and wife Norma.





Funeral from the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM Tuesday at 9 am followed by a Funeral Mass celebrating John's Eternal Life in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham at 10 am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the Family on Monday from 4-8 pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants will be available. Interment with Military Honors Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. In lieu of flowers, please honor John by making donations in memory of him to the New England Food Foundation P.O. Box 960788 Boston, MA 02196-0788.