Hector Arthur Rochon
September 18, 1921 - October 30, 2015

Hector was born in Sedro Woolley, WA, to Eugene Rochon and Irene (Desmarais) Rochon. He graduated from high school in 1939, immediately enlisted in the Coast guard and was assigned to the USS Bonham, working as an Engineer. Right after enlisting, WW II broke out and Hector’s Coast Guard crew was transferred to the USS Black, a US Navy vessel. During the war, the USS Black transported troops all over the world, so Hector was able to experience places all over the globe. He was in the Coast Guard/Navy for six years.

Before enlisting, Heck met the love of his life, Gerry. He was 18 and she was an “older woman” at 19. They corresponded for a time after he joined the Coast Guard and he proposed to her while home on leave. They married in November 1942.

After leaving the military, Heck worked with his father in the lumber business, followed by a two-year stint as a patrolman with the Marysville Police Force. He left the police force to work for Arden Farms as a truck driver and stayed with them for 15 years. During that time, his family was able to build up healthy bones with all of the calcium from the dairy products he received as a stipend from Arden. His family is grateful for those strong bones to this day. His last career move was as a Purchasing Agent, working for Herr Lumber in West Seattle and then at OrePac in Lakewood until he retired in 1986.

During his time at Arden Farms, while living in Marysville, Hector bought some sheep and liked to refer to himself as a “gentleman farmer.” This was his favorite hobby, and when he and Gerry moved to Whidbey Island at 74 years of age, they lived on a 7-acre farm, and he was once again able to raise sheep and even expanded his livestock to include chickens and cows. Both he and Gerry loved to work in the huge vegetable and fruit garden they planted.

Heck and Gerry were blessed with 13 beautiful children: Sandra Rochon, Linda Stuart (Michael), David Rochon (Debbie), Rene Rochon, Marie Gaylord (Richard), Desmond Rochon (Leah), Annette Rochon, Frances Madden (Fred), Joseph Rochon (deceased), Elizabeth Levesque (Ray), Victoria Wakefield (Rusty), Andrew Rochon (Karen) and Margaret Moreno (deceased.) They have 28 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Hector and Gerry kept true to their Roman Catholic Faith and it carried them through their 73 years of marriage.

Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

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