A Vietnam War veteran who died in the Gabriel House Assisted Living Residence fire in Fall River earlier this month is being remembered by his friends and family.
Richard Allan Rochon, 78, died in the July 13 fire, which also took the lives of 9 other residents of the Oliver Street home. Thirty other residents were injured by the blaze, and the rest of the home’s approximately 70 residents were temporarily displaced.
Rochon was born in Fall River on June 26, 1947, to Roland and Eunice Rochon, according to his obituary. His life “was a canvas colored with vibrant strokes of love, resilience, and a unique sense of humor.”
Rochon served in the U.S. Army for several years, including overseas during the Vietnam War, according to his obituary. He ultimately earned Vietnam Service and National Defense medals for his service.
Following his time in the military, Rochon worked in maintenance as a groundskeeper at Temple Beth El in Providence for many years, according to his obituary. He also enjoyed working as a self-employed painter on the side.
“One of Richard’s daughters’ fondest memories was when he taught them how to paint when they bought their home,” his obituary reads.
Rochon was known for being “quite the storyteller,” according to his obituary. He often enjoyed surprising people by recounting the most exciting moments of his life.
“He had a contagious laugh that could be recognized anywhere,” his obituary reads.
Rochon was also passionate about celebrating holidays, according to his obituary. When they were children, he “made his daughters wear the most ridiculous red velvet dresses for Christmas.”
“He especially loved Halloween and Thanksgiving! He loved building props to transform our yard for the trick-or-treaters and made a mean bird for Thanksgiving!” his obituary reads.
But Rochon’s “true passions” were fishing, racing and tinkering with cars, according to his obituary.
“If he wasn’t under the hood of a car, you could find him by a body of water with a fishing rod in his hand,” his obituary reads.
Rochon leaves behind two of his three daughters, six grandchildren, four of his six siblings and many other beloved friends and family members, according to his obituary.
“His life was a masterpiece, and we are all the richer for having been a part of it,” his obituary reads.
A memorial visitation for Rochon is set to be held Saturday, Aug. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Southcoast Funeral Home in Fall River, Massachusetts, his obituary says. A presentation of U.S. Military Honors and a Celebration of Life is scheduled to follow at 3 p.m. that day, complete with funeral bagpipes.
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