Obituary for
Robert E Rochette
Northborough
Robert E. Rochette, longtime resident of Northborough, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2016, at the age of 94, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers, MA. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Grace M. (Belton) Rochette. Robert was born in Worcester on June 17, 1922, the son of the late Clarence H. and Alma B. (Cardinal) Rochette; he attended Worcester Public Schools, graduating in 1940.
Shortly after graduation Robert enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served his country with distinction between 1942-1945, as an aircraft mechanic and Staff Sargent in the Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 341 a.k.a. the ‘Torrid Turtles’, throughout numerous Southwest Pacific Theatres and Campaigns. After his discharge from the Marines, Robert worked in the machine tooling and design industry. Having the entrepreneurial spirit, he expanded his ventures as co-owner of Ward Hill Ski Area in Shrewsbury for many years. Later in life Robert operated a Cape Cod bed and breakfast for 10 years as well as oversaw real estate development projects in Boylston. In addition to his successful business quests Robert enjoyed gardening, wood carving, painting, and finding satisfaction in the renovation and decorating of his many homes.
Among his survivors Robert leaves two sons, Robert E. Rochette, Jr. and his wife Cynthia of Raymond, NH, and Richard P. Rochette of Grand Junction, CO; two daughters, Paula A. Turcotte and her husband Bob of Murphy, NC and Patrice Rochette and her husband Jack Lacaire of Newburyport, MA; 5 grandchildren , Tara, Jennifer, Stephanie, Jacqueline and Max, and two great-grandchildren, Chloe and Emily. In addition, he leaves two sisters, Beverly Downing of Spencer, MA and Phyllis Belmore of North Brookfield, MA. Four of Robert’s brothers, Ernest, Donald, Richard, and Kenneth, as well as a sister Beatrice Lareau, preceded him in death.
On April 17, 2016, Robert had the distinct honor of participating in a Honor Flight New England trip to Washington, DC. The Rochette family humbly requests memorial contributions be made in Robert’s name to the Honor Flight New England, PO Box 16287, Hookset, NH 03106 so other veterans may experience the same honor bestowed to Robert. You may also consider a donation to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Road, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.
A Funeral Mass for Robert will be celebrated on November 2, 2016, at 11am, from the St. Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough. He will then be laid to rest beside Grace in Howard Cemetery, with Military Honors.
