Andrew & Gloria Laroche

On April 19, 2020, Andrew Anthony Laroche peacefully passed surrounded by his wife, Gloria, his daughter Rosa and son Joe. He was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on July 28, 1927, the son of Alphonse Joseph Laroche and Marie Anne Therrien Laroche. Andy, as his friends and family called him, grew up in Warwick, RI, the youngest of nine siblings. After his high school graduation, he attended a Catholic seminary before enlisting in the United States Navy. He served for 28 years in the Navy where he received various service commendations and rose to the distinguished rank of Master Chief Petty Officer.

On March 1, 1960, Andy married Gloria Regina Bertran in Puerto Rico. Andy and Gloria raised three children, their daughters Herlinda and Rosa Laroche and their son Joseph Freire. As a Navy family, the Laroches lived in Caracas, Venezuela, Monterey, California, Warwick, Rhode Island, Wahiawa, Hawaii and Norfolk, Virginia, before retiring in Florida. Over their decades of duty assignments and travels they grew many friends, both domestically and internationally.

Andy was a skilled craftsman in carpentry and roofing who also loved gardening and baking. In 1977, Andy and Gloria built their dream home in Oviedo, Florida, after which they continued their RV travels throughout the United States, often visiting family and their many friends along the way. Andy and Gloria were soul mates and the center of the family. In addition to raising their own children, they had a profound impact on their siblings and many nieces and nephews who spent time living with them over the years. No matter the distance or the urgency, they often travelled to help family and friends in need, arriving with tools and reassuring hugs to lighten the burden. Their generosity and joyous spirit are an amazing testament to their love.

Andy was survived by his wife, Gloria; 2 daughters, Herlinda and her husband Joe Labrecque of Hope Valley, RI, and Rosa Laroche of Oviedo, FL; and a son, Joseph Freire and his wife Mary Jane of Long Beach, CA; 6 grandchildren, Marc Enos and his wife Nia of Rhode Island, Delvina Labrecque and Michael Monaco of Massachusetts, Maegan Labrecque of Rhode Island, Andrew Freire, Michael Freire and Kellyn Waked and her husband Alexander, all of California; and 4 great-grandsons; Jared and Jacob Enos and Simon and Clark Monaco-Labrecque. He was predeceased by his six brothers, Louis, Gerard, Albert, Rene, Wilfred and Maurice, and 2 sisters, Jean and Bernadette. Andy is greatly missed by his family who all hold dear their many cherished memories of the time spent together. You are invited to share your condolences and fond memories with the Laroche family by visiting their guest book.

Gloria Regina Bertran Laroche

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Gloria Regina Bertran Laroche peacefully passed on June 22, 2024. She was born on September 7, 1929, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, the daughter of Dr. Juan Jacobo Pena-Bertran and Felicita Bertran-Gerena. Gloria was one of twelve siblings in the Bertran-Gerena family, ten of who survived to adulthood.

On March 1, 1960, Gloria married US Navy Chief Petty Officer Andrew A. Laroche in Puerto Rico. Gloria and Andrew raised three children, their daughters Herlinda and Rosa Laroche and their son Joseph Freire. As a Navy family, they lived in Caracas, Venezuela, Monterey, California, Warwick, Rhode Island, Wahiawa, Hawaii and Norfolk, Virginia, before retiring in Florida.

After raising her children Gloria studied cosmetology and started a career as a hairdresser. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to open various beauty salons. Her favorite operations were those she had in retirement communities where she enjoyed helping her elderly clientele feel special and beautiful. In 1977, Gloria and Andrew built their dream home in Oviedo, Florida where they settled for the remainder of their lives. They traveled throughout the United States in their various RV’s, often visiting family and friends along the way, or taking their grandchildren on far-away adventures. In addition to raising their own children, Gloria and Andrew, had a profound impact on many nieces and nephews who spent time living with them over the years. Gloria was a mentor and trusted confidant whose generosity with family and friends is an amazing testament to her love.

Gloria was predeceased by her husband Andrew and her daughter Herlinda Labrecque. She was survived by her daughter Rosa Laroche of Oviedo, FL, son, Joseph Freire and his wife Mary Jane of Long Beach, CA, and son-in-law Joe Labrecque of Hope Valley, RI; 6 grandchildren, Marc Enos and his wife Nia of Rhode Island, Delvina Felicita Labrecque and Michael Monaco of Massachusetts, Maegan Labrecque of Rhode Island, Andrew Freire, Michael Freire and Kellyn Waked and her husband Alexander all of California; and 4 great-grandsons, Jared and Jacob Enos and Simon and Clark Monaco-Labrecque. She was survived by one sister, Angela Felicita Bertan Freire of California, and predeceased by his five brothers, Felix, Jorge, Guillermo (William), Robert, Santiago (Chaguin) and Juan Jacobo, and three sisters, Paulita Torrellas, Bernarda Herman and Delia Bock. Gloria is greatly missed by her family who all hold dear many cherished memories of their time together. You are invited to share your condolences and fond memories with the Laroche family by visiting their guest book.