OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 15 April 1915, Page 27

OBITUARY

MR. WILLIAM FRANCIS ROCHE, CHRISTCHURCH. It was with very genuine sorrow (writes our Christchurch correspondent) that his numerous friends and acquaintances in the community learned of the death of Mr. William Francis Roche, which occurred on last Tuesday in the Christchurch Hospital at the age of sixty-three years. The late Mr. Roche was a native of Cahir, County Tipperary, and as the son of a contractor for supplies to the army (Cahir being a garrison town and his father storekeeper in a large Way there), he acquired a good commercial and general education, which was of immense service to him in after life. The late Mr. Roche was for a lengthy period travelling representative for the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, and as such, owing to his genial personality, integrity, and exceptional business abilities, was esteemed and respected alike by clients and fellow-travellers. Some years ago he decided to leave the road and enter business on his own account. 111-health almost from the start, however, pursued him, and he was obliged recently to

enter the hospital for treatment. His constitution was so broken, . that medical skill was unavailing, and he passed away as previously mentioned. The Rev. Rather Murphy, B.A. (chaplain), and other priests visiting the hospital afforded all the spiritual' consolation possible, and being always a faithful and fervent Catholic, his death was peaceful and happy. The late Mr. Roche leaves a widow and family, his eldest son being Lieutenant Arnold Roche of the Marist Brothers’ School Cadets. He also leaves a sister to whom he was greatly devoted Mother M. Augustine, of the Sisters of Mercy,, Auckland, and late of Onehunga, where for many years she did noble and enduring work in connection with the local Catholic schools. To all of these the sincerest sympathy is extended. A Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul was celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Manchester street, by the Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., on last Thursday, the Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., afterwards officiating at the interment in the Linwood Cemetery. Among the oldest and closest friends attending the funeral were Messrs. M. Cleary, T. Gaffney, J. Molloy, J. S. Barrett, W. Hayward, sen., G. C. Hayward, J. Power, M. O’Donohue, and Bowler, the four last mentioned being pallbearers. —R. I. P.