Leonard F. Roche
November 25, 1946 ~ September 27, 2016
Resided in:
Pleasanton, CA
Born November 25th, 1946, died September 27th, 2016 at the age of 69 years. Len was born and raised in San Leandro, CA and was the first of two sons to Frank and Carmel Roche.
Len graduated from San Leandro High in 1964. From a young age, Len grew a lifelong love for baseball as both a player and fan. He played on San Leandro Babe Ruth Baseball teams, the San Leandro High School's baseball team, and participated in the Police Olympics later in life. As a teenager, he could recount from memory the starting lineups for all major league teams and all the players' batting averages.
Len enjoyed many hobbies including boating, waterskiing, jet skiing, and reading, but none greater than his affection for motorcycles. His first motorcycle was purchased proudly at the age of 18. At age 65, he was even more proud to own a Boss Hoss motorcycle powered by a 350cc V8 engine. He also spent many years enjoying off-road motorcycles; riding his favorite spots with friends and family at Hollister Hills, Carnegie, Pismo Dunes and once joyriding the Baja 500 course.
Len had many chapters in his working career. He was a Naval Reservist, a machinist for Caterpillar Tractors and United Airlines, before an 11 year career with the Alameda County Sheriffs Department. His career with the Sheriffs Department began as a Superior Court bailiff before transferring to patrol, undercover intelligence, and finally Sergeant. After leaving the Sheriffs Department in 1979, Len found his passion in life, spending the next 37 years working as a landscape contractor, operating Len Roche and Sons Landscape and South Shore Landscape.
To most who knew him, he is described as a hard working, loyal, trusting and giving man who would do anything to help anyone he knew.
Len is survived by his mother Carmel, 3 sons and their spouses: Joe and Angela, Tim and Chantelle, and Caeton and Stephanie, his 3 grandchildren: Logan, Aiden and Stella, his brother Dan, and countless loving friends- whose lives he made richer and rewarding because of his actions.
A celebration of his life will be held at Chapel of the Angels at 40842 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538 with a gathering for friends and family immediately following at his son Tim's house: details will be provided at the service.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Len Roche Memorial Fund, to assist in the skilled care needed for Len's mother Carmel, suffering from Alzheimers disease.
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This is very sad news for me, I am honored to have called Len a friend, and too, he was a fantastic partner during our days with ACSO. This world will be a little dimmer place without Len he will be missed, but will live on for me through the many great memories I have of him. RIP my friend.
Gone too soon. Grandpa Len will be missed. He will now be in Logan’s and my memories. I have only fond memories of Len to share with his grandson, Logan, as Len was always friendly, kind, and greeted me with a smile each time I saw him.
With Love… Rest In Peace.
This is so very sad. Len was the nicest man and so dedicated to his business. Our condolences to all of the family.
A huge loss! My memory is of an outstanding Deputy and a truly nice man!! Echoes also from Ramona Hofmann also from dispatch Alameda County Sheriff Department! Condolences to Len’s family!!
Len was a great friend and we had many good times water skiing. Although he wouldn’t admit it he loved watching All My Children when he came to the house. He will be missed.
Len was a man among men. One of the best on the Sheriff’s Department. He will be missed, a great guy.
Lenny was a great friend, always enjoyed exchanging new stories with him. We went back to the 70’s when I first met Len at the Sheriff’s office and he assisted me on a couple of cases. We both lived in Pleasanton and often ran into each other, Len always had time to talk and exchange some new stories.
Len will be missed, Condolences to the Family.
I had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful man over the last 12 years. We worked together on several projects. He was one of the most hardest working and dedicated men I have ever known. We shared several interests Harleys, Giants Baseball . Landscaping and helping others. I was always able to call and count on Len whether it was a project at the mall or even at my home. I will miss the conversations we had and the availability to call him for his wealth of knowledge and not to mention all of the firewood we often worked so hard for. You will be deeply missed my friend and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.