OBITUARY Joseph Leonard Rocha April 2, 1954 – December 13, 2018 Joseph Rocha was born on April 2, 1954 and within weeks was baptized a Roman Catholic at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Oakland, CA, where he became Joseph Leonard Rocha. He attended grammar school at St. Benedict’s and high school at St. Elizabeth’s High School in Oakland, CA Joe was the 8th child of Gabriel and Vera Rocha. Joe received his first communion, first confession and finally made his confirmation, all at St. Benedict’s.
His 7 older siblings are Margaret Mary, Nancy Ann, Evelyn Theresa, Lawrence Edward, Gregory Thomas, Donna Marie, and Robert Anthony. Bob Anthony preceded him in death this year 2018 in July. Joseph’s younger siblings are John David and Mary Elizabeth.
Joe was a ‘free’ spirit and at an early age, at least by 10, started working and giving his parent’s rules a thorough test. He had many ‘older’ friends and started a part time job at the Breckie’s restaurant where his older brothers had worked. He, after the age of 13 on, always had a job cooking, cleaning, or managing restaurants.
In 1973 Joe as a very young man married Catherine Viscuso, and by 1974 he was attending City College in San Francisco, studying Hotel and Restaurant Management. These studies introduced him to the restaurant business where his LOVE of cooking was furthered developed. On Aug 30, 1977 Joe’s daughter – Talia Julia Rocha was born.
He did not know at the time that she would be his only child, but during the rest of his life he declared that she was the biggest part of his mind, heart, and soul. He was so very happy when Talia presented him with three grandchildren, Nathan Angelo, Ereyana Isabella, & Ethan Matthew. Joe married for a second time to Terri Yvonne Rodrigues and continued with the marriage until 2010.
From 1973 thru 1992. Joe honed his culinary skills in various restaurant and hotels in the San Francisco Bay Area. His immediate family kept him BUSY with all of the weddings, special birthday, anniversary, holidays and any special occasion.
Starting in 1993 Joe entered the elite jobs of the culinary business. Here is a list: 1993-1994 Lou’s Village Restaurant 1995-1999 Vallamborsa Retreat Center Menlo Park,CA (PS Joe is proud to have the honor of catering for Archbishop William Levada whose colleague and friend Cardinal Ratzinger came to visit him at Vallambrosa. Later when the Cardinal became Pope Benedict 16, he says he had the honor to have cook and served the Pope).
1998-2001 Almaden Country Club 2001-2002 Oakdale Golf Country Club 2004-2010 Sportmen of the Stanislaus Club – manager 2011-2012 Delaware North companies – manager 2012-2014 Gallo Center for the Arts Modesto, CA 2015-2018 LAST but Joe’s FAVORITE place: Toscana’s Ristorante Turlock,CA He finally had the independence to be creative in his cooking 2013 Joe met a woman, Linda Rhoeden, who became his best friend. In 2015 Joe and Linda started living together. They both knew it was time to slow down RELAX and enjoy life.
In Nov. 2017 Joe was diagnosed with liver cancer. When Linda and Joe would show up at any family event, it was clear to see their love and as Joe’s cancer progressed, Linda was his angel sent by God to see him through to the end.
Linda was indeed Joe’s biggest gift given to him by ‘the Holy Spirit’. 1988 – 2018 Joe’s favorite past-time was to play bingo and did so at the 9th St. Bingo Club. Joe loved Bingo and all his friends from the bingo club 2005-2018 Joe enjoyed using social media to keep and find old friends of his from Oakland, and High School days.
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