Edward Michael Roche

Edward Michael Roche, 85, passed away on August 5, 2015 in Houston, Texas.

Michael was born on September 24, 1929, raised and educated in Canada. He was married to the late Joan Roche, celebrated watercolor artist and founding partner of 'Allied Arts', a firm specializing in graphic communications.

In 1964, at age 35, he came to the United States with his wife and small son, joining McCann-Erickson, a global ad agency. He was an account executive in their San Francisco office. During the next 16 years, he headed up the agency’s operations in Portland, Seattle, and Detroit. He joined Bates Worldwide, heading up their Western U.S. operations headquartered in Irvine, Calif. He retired to Fallbrook in 1994.

Michael Roche was always active in the communities where he lived. In the Bay Area, he was chairman of the Marin County Boy’s Club, and Deputy Commissioner of Pop Warner Football for Northern California. In Fallbrook, he was a Past Director of Youth Activities with the Fallbrook Rotary Club. He was Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. A member of St. Peter’s Catholic Community, he served on its Finance Council and was a member of St. Peter’s School Board. He was a recipient of the ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ papal decoration for his many years of dedicated service to the church.

Michael was predeceased by his father and mother, John and Elsie Roche; his brother John, his twin brother Patrick, and his beloved wife Joan. He is survived by his son Wayne, grandson Keenan, and daughter-in-law Claire.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s in Fallbrook, Calif. on August 21 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Fallbrook Arts Inc.