His morning routine included checking the death notices and obituaries in the Southern Highland News.
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His family jokes that he was making sure he wasn't in them, although a deep sense of community was probably part of the motivation.
Dr John Roche OAM was a man who loved his community, people, his profession and his family. He lived a very full life of contribution and making a difference.
In fact, he was well known to this paper not only for his many achievements and sense of community, but for the stories he would share of others in heartfelt obituaries he would often submit for publication. We always welcomed and published those obituaries. We loved the way he told the story and recognised the value of so many people.
Needless to say I feel privileged to be able to now share a glimpse into a life well lived by this man who passed away on February 16. However, there is a degree of disappointment in knowing that he doesn't get to witness the words and stories told about him in his own obituary.
This is the story of man who was dedicated to the medical profession and integral in many of its advancements, although he once told the Southern Highland News that the "best medical decision I ever made was to marry Kathy" in reference to his wife and love of his life, Kathleen Shanahan.
John Roche was born on March 5, 1928 to Vida (a paediatrician) and Vincent (a surveyor) Roche. He was one of three children with siblings Joan and Jim. He was a boarder at St John's Catholic School in Campbelltown before receiving a bursary to Riverview College. It was at that point that John developed a passion for social justice, under the guidance of the Jesuit priests, which he continued throughout his life.
He studied medicine at Sydney University before taking on residencies at St Vincent's, St Margaret's, Coast Hospital and Camperdown. He also briefly worked as a Ship's Medical Officer on the SS Taiping and took part in two trips from Sydney to Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines. It was his way of earning a little extra money so that he could marry his sweetheart Kathy in July 1956.
The couple lived in various locations including Leura, Berry and Gundagai before settling in the Southern Highlands in 1963. During that time they welcomed five children to their family - Vincent, Leonore, Michael, Patrick and Nicholas. Dr John and Kathy also later fostered a child from Westmead Boys' Home, Don, who became a part of the family from the age of seven.
Dr John (as he was best known) bought his first family home in Moss Vale when he was 36. By the mid-1970s he and Kathy had bought farmland and built a new home - Araluen - at Sutton Forest, where a lifetime of memories have been made with his extensive family, including five children and 13 grandchildren.
He began a medical practice in Argyle Street, Moss Vale, following his move to the Highlands. However, this first location for a practice was short lived. Dr John complained that he could hardly hear a heartbeat because of the noise from the main street. This prompted a relocation the Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale, where Dr John and later his son, Dr Vincent Roche, have continued to deliver that traditional service expected of a country family doctor.
Dr John was more than just a family doctor - he was integral in the push for quality, consistency and efficiency of the profession into the 21st century. He was part of efforts to formalise the role, training and expectations of a general practitioner through the formation of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. He also established a blood register while living in Gundagai for a short period. He was motivated to do this, prior to the introduction of blood banks, because of the community's proximity to the Hume Highway and the recognition of the possible need for blood transfusions in the case of crashes along the busy section of road.
He was a passionate educator initiating first aid and home nursing training for Civil Defence (a forerunner for State Emergency Services) in the Southern Highlands. He also had a collection of snakes in jars which he used to educate people about the reptiles, including identification and possible treatment of snakebites prior to the introduction of anti-venom. Even after his retirement at the age of 78 this dedicated doctor was making regular house calls and visiting retirement villages in the region to check on the well-being of some of his patients.
His sense of humanity did not stop there. He was renowned for his passionate involvement in community in many ways. Several of the towns in which he had lived carry a lasting memorial to Dr John in the form of extensive tree plantings. There are Claret Ashes along the streets of Gundagai, groves of Poplars in Berry and the Southern Highlands is most definitely a little greener and cleaner because of the environmental foresight of this man.
He has especially made his mark in the grounds of Moss Vale Showground including his preferred tree to plant, the oak. It was a favourite stomping ground for Dr John who was a keen and active member of the show society as a pavilion and sideshow alley steward and regular entrant in pavilion events. He submitted many prize-winning produce items over the years.
Typical of his character in every aspect, he embraced the 'imperfect' produce. Slightly damaged, oddly shaped or pitted fruit or vegetables were still perfect to him. And he was as generous, as he was accepting of this produce. I was graced with a tasty selection of garden fresh vegetables and free-range eggs when I once visited him at his Sutton Forest property.
In fact, his Araluen haven was a welcoming location for many over the years. Dr John and Kathy developed and opened up the property for equestrian events, in a show of support for another community activity close to their hearts.
And when he wasn't immersed in achieving the best for his profession or his community his focus was firmly on his family. He was a proud husband, father and grandfather who embraced quality time with his family. Although saddened by his passing his extended family is blessed with a lifetime of memories. There were the family horse riding camps at Meryla, driving lessons under his watchful eye, learning and growing a passion for community and environment under his guidance.
Their memories include a fond recollection of his love of a tipple of Jamieson's Irish Whiskey and an inability to cook anything...except porridge.
Dr John Roche OAM passed away on February 16. He was farewelled in a funeral at Hartzer Park in Burradoo on February 28 and laid to rest at St Patrick's Church cemetery at Sutton Forest. He was 91 years young.