Theodore A. “Ted” DeRoche, 94, World War II Veteran

Theodore A. “Ted” DeRoche, 94, of Haverhill, passed peacefully July 24 at his home and surrounded by his family.

Born in 1923, son of the late Ephrem and Marie Anne (Gallant) DeRoche of Haverhill, he attended Saint James High School and was a member of the varsity football team and captain of the varsity baseball team and graduated with the class of 1943. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II aboard the USS Sea Owl as a signal corp technician, earning honorable discharge in 1946 and was a recipient of the American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, The World War II Victory Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.

DeRoche married Lorraine Demarais in October, 1943, and together they raised eight children. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage until her death in 2002.

He leaves  a son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Cynthia DeRoche of (Ward Hill) Haverhill; daughters and sons-in-law Kathleen (DeRoche) and George Desmarais of Dalton, Patricia (DeRoche) and Edward Paquette of Bradford, Loraine “Lori” (DeRoche) Woodsum of Kittery, Maine, Theresa (DeRoche) and Michael Desilets, of Keene, N.H., and Michelle (DeRoche) and Raymond Snyder, of Georgetown; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Angelina Sweeney of Haverhill and Eleanor Hagarty of Nashua, N.H..; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, Gregory R. DeRoche in 2018 and Theodore “Teddy” DeRoche in 2008, three brothers Joseph, Louis and Albin DeRoche, and five sisters, Agatha Melanson, Therese Publicover, Alma DeRoche, Mary St.Onge, and Rita LaFleche.

DeRoche worked at Western Electric/AT&T in North Andover as an electrical technician for 30 years before retiring in 1984. He was a lifelong member of All Saints Parish and the former Saint Joseph Parish, as well as a member of the Saint Vincent de-Paul Society, the Wilbur M. Comeau Post of the American Legion, The Communication Workers of America, The Telephone Pioneers of America and a Life Member of the National Disabled American Veterans.

“Captain Ted” as named by his fellow road running companions, was an avid runner and member of “Rudy’s Tigers”, bicyclist, and hiker. He also loved skiing, sailing, and body surfing the waves at Seabrook Beach. In his retirement, Ted’s special time was spent relaxing with family at his camp on Lake Iona in New Hampshire. He was a loyal Boston sports fan, especially for the Red Sox and his favorite player, Dustin Pedroia.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Life Celebration Friday, July 27, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. His funeral takes place Saturday, July 28, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in All Saints Church, Haverhill. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The Saint Vincent de-Paul Society of All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Avenue, Haverhill, or to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence.