2017 -- H 5366

========

LC001187

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF WALTER M. ROCHA

     Introduced By: Representatives Marshall, Donovan, O'Brien, Casey, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2017

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Walter M. Rocha of Bristol, Rhode Island, passed away on Sunday, January

29, 2017, at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Rose Rocha; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Rocha was born in Feteiras, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, a son of

the late Jose and Maria Rocha. He had been a resident of Bristol, Rhode Island, since he was ten

years old, after immigrating to the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Starting in 1972, Mr. Rocha worked for the Rhode Island Department of

Environmental Management's Parks and Recreation Division for thirty-five years. Thanks to his

tireless work ethic, steady leadership, and his abiding concern for protecting Rhode Island's vital

natural resources, Mr. Rocha rose through the ranks, from Caretaker Supervisor in 1976, to Park

Manager of Colt State Park in 1986, a position he held until his retirement in 2007; and

     WHEREAS, In his capacity as the Park Manager of Colt State Park, Mr. Rocha was

responsible for the protection and management of East Bay recreational areas, including the East

Bay Bike Path and Haines Memorial State Park. He supervised the full-time maintenance staff

and the numerous seasonal park rangers. Most importantly, Mr. Rocha will be remembered for

the passion he brought every day to his job and the pride he took in improving the quality of life

for the visitors of Colt State Park; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Rocha was very active in community affairs throughout his life. He was

a life member of the Bristol Fire Department Hydraulion's Engine-1, a member of the Bristol

F.O.P. Lodge 28, and served with the Bristol Fire-Police. He was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth

Church and a member of the Bristol Elks, also serving them as a former trustee; and

     WHEREAS, In addition to his wife, Mr. Rocha leaves behind his two sons, Walter B.

Rocha, and Raymond Rocha. He was the brother of Joseph "Joe" Rocha, Fernando Rocha, and

Mariano "Mario" Rocha. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby expresses its condolences on the passing of Walter M. Rocha; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rose Rocha and Family.

========

LC001187

========

LC001187 - Page 2 of 2