William J. Hoch

William J. "Bill" Hoch, 79 of Manchester, loving husband for sixty years of Annette D. (Drouin) Hoch, died Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Hartford Hospital. Bill was born in Stafford Springs on February 28, 1938, son of the late William and Gizella (Dorsay) Hoch. He was raised in Stafford Springs, received his degree in Agriculture and Dairy Manufacturing from the University of Connecticut, and moved to Manchester in the early 1950's. He started working at the family run Shady Glen Dairy Stores at age 15 and had worked there ever since, eventually taking over full reins of the operation in 1970. He and his wife have owned the James Beard Award winning restaurant for many years.. Bill was a trustee and Eucharistic Minister at St. Bartholomew Church in Manchester and was recently awarded the Saint Joseph Medal by the Archdiocese of Hartford. He was also a huge antique car and model train enthusiast. With his wife, he is survived by their three children, Billy Hoch and his wife Amy of Manchester, Gregory Hoch and his wife Cindy of Gardnerville, NV, and Arlette Cassidy and her husband Ray of Bolton; five grandchildren who adored him, Victoria, Alexandria, Samantha, Ealish, and Taj; his brother, David Hoch of Stafford Springs, and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents Bill was predeceased by his sister, Mary Hendrickson. Memorial visiting hours for family and friends are Friday, June 2, from 4 PM to 7 PM at St. Bartholomew Church, 736 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester. All are invited to Bill's Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 3, at 10:00 AM at St. Bartholomew Church with burial to follow in St. James Cemetery in Manchester. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Gengras Center School, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117 or to St. Bartholomew Church. To leave a message for his family please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com.