Mateo "Matt" Rocha Jr.

Tuesday, August 2, Jesus decided that Matt, my love, my life, had been through enough pain and strife. He continued to carry Matt in His loving arms as he had for the last 3 years and this time, in the early morning, Jesus carried Matt home to His Heavenly Father. Matt loved Jesus, His Holy Father and Mother Mary and knew he would be going to his heavenly home soon. He just had to let go of this earthly home and rejoice in his new home. The day before Matt’s leaving us, Jesus brought Matt’s family together to see him, a priest to bless him, and his constant companion and wife to be with him, and to reassure him that everything here would be ok. Jesus would continue to look over us all.

Mateo Jr. (Matt) was born in San Benito, TX on June 3, 1959 to Mateo and Marina G. Rocha. He was the oldest of 5 siblings. Being the son of an Army soldier his younger years took him all over the world; Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alaska, Missouri, Maryland, Germany, Spain, and Italy. He attended Jr High School in Germany where he was a member of ROTC, ran cross country, and played on the intramural basketball team. He attended Edgewood High School in Maryland and enjoyed team sports like baseball and bowling. He graduated from there in 1977 in the top 10% of his class and earned a full scholarship to UTEP which brought him to El Paso.

Matt drove across country in his beloved Pontiac, Bonneville when he moved to El Paso. During college, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he became fraternity brothers with men like Joe Villasana, Dr. Tom Fullerton, and Orlando Mena who became life-long friends. He had many stories of his traveling with his fraternity brothers in his Bonneville.

Matt continued playing baseball and even began to bowl. Always enjoying people and helping those around him. He answered the call to community service when Rev. Chuck Nichols came to Matt’s work asking for help within the community. With Chuck and his new friend Michele Gorman he became an active member of the Northeast Kiwanis Club. He served as Club President several times and as Lieutenant Governor. He was instrumental in starting the North Easter Parade and in providing food for the hungry on Thanksgiving and Christmas. During a Midwimter Convention in Sierra Vista, AZ in 1990 he met Rebecca Herlacher who was living in Tempe, AZ and in a Kiwanis Club there. Later that year they were reintroduced in St Louis at the International Convention spending every free moment together. They continued their friendship and after long talks on the phone and monthly visits, in 1992 Rebecca moved to El Paso to be with Matt. Together they continued Matt’s many interests including bowling and community service with Kiwanis and service at St Pius. On December 14, 1996 they were married in a ceremony at the El Paso Train Station. On June 14, 1997 they consecrated their marriage at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

After working for International Business College and Western Technical College, Matt went back to college himself to get his teaching certificate so he could share his life experiences with his students. Upon receiving his degree In business he was immediately hired by EPISD and began working at Andress High School. Soon after he became the chairperson of the business department. A few years later he was named Teacher of the Year. You could walk through the halls of Andress or go to a football or basketball game, which they always did, and all you would hear was “Hi Mr. Rocha”, “hey Mr. Rocha” “How’s it going Mr”. The students loved him and he loved them. He lived for teaching. And he also lived for his Lord.

Matt was an active member for St. Pius Catholic Church registering with Rebecca in 1993. He served as a RCIA sponsor, Eucharistic Minister, ACTS Team Member, and Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He also joined the Evangelization ministry during his time with them, always being the leader, Matt served as a table leader, leader of all the committees leading up to retreat leader.

When Matt attended his first Evangelization retreat as a retreatent, he helped begin a Small Church Faith Community, Journey in Faith. As a founding member he helped name the group, and establish when and where the community would meet. The community has met for more than 10 years even through Covid. Now meeting on Zoom he continued to join when possible. His love for the Church was so evident by the number of people who knew him.

Matt will be greatly missed by his wife, his family, his Journey in Faith community, his work associates and students at Andress High School, his church community and so many more.

Matt is preceded in death by his parents. Left to remember his love of life and service to others is his wife Rebecca Rocha, his 3 sisters Janie Rocha, Norma Ortiz (Greg), Marnie Rocha (Jodi), and his brother Robert Rocha, his nephews Eric Villasana and Eli Ortiz, his niece and god-daughter Danielle Ortiz, god-daughter Chandler Miller, and numerous Aunts, Uncles and cousins. His family will act as his honorary pallbearers.

Services are being arranged by Funeraria del Angel Restlawn at 8817 Dyer St. in Northeast El Paso. Visitation will be there on Thursday, September 15 at 5 p.m. followed by Matt’s Vigil Celebration and Rosary at 7 p.m. Matt’s Funeral Mass will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1050 N. Clark, on Friday, September 16, beginning at 11 a.m. Reception will follow at St Pius.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: El Paso Aphasia Connection Center, 12486 Pleasant Crest, El Paso TX 79928. Their phone number is 915-820-3944.

This is a Celebration of Matt’s life here on Earth and the joy of his passing on to our Heavenly Home. It is a time of sadness for our loss and joy for his entering the Kingdom of God. So, tears are allowed for both. Please wear Matt’s favorite colors Andress’ colors of maroon or gold or UTEP’s colors of Orange or Blue.