Kenneth R. Roche, Sr. 81, of Wareham, died Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. He was the husband of Josephine (Tedeschi) Roche.

Born in Brockton, he was the son of the late Kenneth C. and Lorraine F. (Phillips) Roche. After graduating from Stoughton High School, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He moved to Wareham in 1973.

Ken was a longtime coach for Wareham Little League. He was also an umpire and a member of the Mass. Baseball Umpires Association. Ken was involved in scouting and was den leader for Webelos Den 41, and Scout Leader for Troop 39 in Wareham.

Involved in the Wareham community, Ken served on the Wareham Board of Selectmen from 1991 to 1997. He also served on several town boards and commissions. He was a member of the Improved Order of Red Men of Massachusetts, Cromesett Tribe 156 in Wareham, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Wareham-New Bedford Lodge #73 in Wareham and the WARM Radio Club. Ken was also a volunteer for the Wareham Boys and Girls Club where he served as vice-president and president. 

Survivors include his wife, Josephine of Wareham; his sons, Kenneth R. Roche, Jr. and his wife Sheila of Mashpee, Patrick Roche and his husband Steven Bonanno of Raynham, Timothy Roche of E. Wareham and Christopher Roche and his wife Heather of Weymouth; his daughter, Kelley-Anne Sylvia and her husband Robert of Wareham; his brother, Edward Roche of Easton; his sister, Florence Teague of Myrtle Beach, SC; and his grandchildren, Benjamin Erik Roche, Kenneth Bobby Roche, Ryan Joseph Sylvia, and Madelyn Carol Roche. He was predeceased by his sister, the late Barbara Hill.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 19, 2022 at St. Patrick’s Church, 94 High St., Wareham at 9 AM. Please go directly to church and arrive by 8:45 AM. Interment will follow in the Mass. National Cemetery, Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s name may be made to Wareham Little League, P.O. Box 614, Wareham, MA 02571. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com