James "Jim" E. Roche

James “Jim” E. Roche
The Lord called Jim home on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the age of 76. Jim is survived by his beloved wife Penny (Florence) Roche, nee Lima; Children, Jim (Carolyn) Roche and Joanna (Billy) Hamilton; Siblings, Jack (Pat) Roche and Karen Pittro; Grandchildren, Cole, Donovan, Cash, Sienna, Rock, Scarlett; Jim was a dear brother-in-law and loving uncle.
Jim Roche, born to Earl and Sophie (Diehl) Roche on October 26, 1947, grew up in Franklin Park as the eldest of three siblings. Known for his mischievous spirit, he often found himself in trouble with his brother and teasing his sister. Jim was fortunate enough to have a childhood crew as well. From fast skates and pond hockey as small boys to fast cars and drag strips as young men Jim created a bond with those buddies that lasted their entire lives. While he enjoyed many hobbies, aviation was always Jim’s true passion. In 1966, he enlisted in the Army and began training in air traffic control with the First Aviation Brigade. While home on leave in June of 1968, the course of Jim’s life would forever be changed when he met his wife, Penny. Whether it was stock car races, movies or enjoying an occasional night out for pizza and drinks, they cherished every minute together before his deployment to Vietnam in October of 1968. He served his country with pride, spending a year navigating rice paddies, jungles, and control towers before returning home in October 1969. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed not only by Penny but by what would be the second love of his life – a 1969 Stingray Corvette his dad bought as a surprise. Jim continued his career as an air traffic controller and he and Penny married October 7, 1972. They created a loving home for their two children filled with Little League coaching, Aesop’s Fables, Friday pizza nights and listening to vinyl records in the basement. Over the years, family trips to Wisconsin Dells and Disney World littered their lives creating lifelong memories and a bond that could never be broken even in the toughest times. Jim retired in 2006, dedicating his time to fishing, tending to his yard or garage, reading, cooking and enjoying Saturday night dinners with Penny, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Mary Jane Kupiec. In March 2009, he became a proud Papa, and over the years, five more beautiful grandchildren followed. He was heavily involved in their lives, cheering them on from the sidelines of all their sports and greeting them with salutes and hugs. Whether picking them up from school, feeding the birds, playing castle guys, baking various kinds of desserts, playing chess, grilling steak, or good night phone calls being Papa became his most cherished role. Jim was known by all for his humor, his intelligence (he was, after all, the smartest man in the world), his love and loyalty to family and friends, and his strength through life’s challenges. Above all, he was fiercely devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. His legacy lives on in their hearts and he will never be forgotten.
They say there are no goodbyes in the Army, so we will simply say, “See you soon.”