Lewie Leal Roche

Lewie Leal Roche, 89 of Merced, California was born July 27, 1926 and went to heaven by the side of our heavenly father on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016.

Lewie married Beatrice Lawrence on February 27, 1949 and raised seven children on Haley Street in Newark, on a seven acre ranch. Lewie worked hard raising his large family and could fix anything that needed fixing. He was a farmer at heart and had cows, horses and many other farm animals. He was a trustee on the school board, was involved with his sons and daughters high school activities. He made many lasting relationships with their friends and classmates, and also was a personal barber to some of them.

Lewie moved to Merced and bought a 40-acre ranch where he raised cattle, horses and various crops with his son Randy and wife Beatrice. Beatrice was laid to rest on March 2, 1995.

Lewie married Gladys Brisco on February 12, 2000 where they continued to live on the ranch raising cattle, horses and growing and bailing hay with close friend Tom Ragsdale. Family would like to thank Tony Branco for all of his help taking Lewie to and from his doctor appointments, lending a helping hand wherever he can and just being there for support. Family would also like to recognize Tim Ragsdale for all of his help keeping the tractors and vehicles maintained and in working condition.

Lewie was preceded in death by his parents, Aniceto and Emilia da Rocha; Beatrice Roche, his wife of 46 years; daughter, Rochelle Batti; brothers, Newell and Nick Roche and sister Marlene Henselmen.

He leaves a legacy of loving sons and daughters; Lewie Jr. (Kathy), Newell Sr. (Linda), Cynthia Roche (Mickey) Moses, Denise (Walter Scott) Neill, Claudette (Pat) Furlong, Randy Sr. (Debbie), and son-in-law Larry Batti and three step children.

Treasured grandchildren; Lewie III, Jason, Bryan Sr. Roche; Newell Jr., Emily Roche; Brianna Batti; Luke, Logan Moses; Patti, Jake, Jimmy, Shawna Neill; Rachel, Raquel, Jacqueline Furlong, Maryah and Randy Jr. Roche and five step grandchildren.

Adored great grandchildren; Cayleb Roche; Ayla, Bryan Jr., Coltyn Roche; Riley, Treg, Lewie Roche; TR, Shania, Tricia, Trevor Rupinski; Evalyn Neill; Denver, Kyiah, Paxton, Parker Neill; Carson, Stella Biggerstaff; Joy and JP Everhart and three step great grandchildren.

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure…

Please join the family in a celebration of Lewie’s life. A vigil service will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2016 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. with rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced, California. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 671 E. Yosemite Ave, Merced, California.