Portage, Indiana
GABRIEL ROCHA PORTAGE, IN
Gabriel Rocha, age 53, a resident of Portage, passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. He was born on March 21, 1958 in East Chicago, IN, the son of Jesus and Maria Rocha. Gabriel was a 1976 graduate of Edison High School. He was married to Barbara Miller on July 16, 1983 in Merrillville. Gabe worked as a Manager of BOF Operations at Arcelor Mittal Steel in Burns Harbor and had also worked at the Arcelor Mittal - Indiana Harbor plant for over 32 years. He was a member Glen Park Masonic Lodge # 732 and a member of Scottish Rite - Valley of South Bend. Gabe was a longtime coach for Portage Youth Basketball, he coached for the Portage Little League, and also a coach for the AAU Traveling Basketball league. He enjoyed golf, water skiing, softball, sports, and was a huge Chicago Bears fan. Gabe was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and a dear friend to all. Gabe is survived by his loving family: wife, Barbara Rocha of Portage; son Joshua Rocha of Hobart; daughters: Jessica (Matt) Miklos of DeMotte and Jennifer Rocha of Portage; parents: Jesus and Maria Rocha of Lake Station; brothers: Jorge Rocha of Hobart, Fernando (Maria) Rocha of Bakersfield, CA, Louis (Brenda) Rocha of Valparaiso, and James Rocha of Lake Station; sisters: Terry (Al) Gomez of Portage, Dianna (Mike) Miller of Portage, and Esther (Jerry) Baldazo of Lake Station; numerous nieces and nephews, and other loving family and dear friends. A visitation for Gabriel Rocha will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 21, 2011 directly at Real Life Community Church, 3134 Swanson Road, Portage. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evening at Real Life Church. A funeral service for Gabriel Rocha will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at Real Life Community Church, with Pastor Duane Schmidt, officiating. Burial will be at Angelcrest Cemetery in Chesterton. Memorials in Gabe's memory may be made to the Rocha family. For further information please call Rees Funeral Home at (219) 762-3013 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.
Dear Barb,
So very sorry to hear about your loss. We just found out about it today. Said a prayer for Gabe. God's blessing on your family.
Lee and Georgiana Kipp
Georgiana Kipp
March 19, 2012 | Knox, IN
Barb and kids,
We are so sorry to read of Gabe's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
April & Tim
November 23, 2011 | Jacksonville, FL
I have never been to a visitation quite like Gabe's. What a testimony of love for the Rocha family -Barb, Josh, Jessica, Jenny and many more- as hundreds and hundreds of people who have been touched by Gabe and his kindness came to pay respects to his family.
May our wonderful Lord wrap his arms around you all and give you strength and peace!!
The Ingersoll family
Alana Ingersoll
November 22, 2011 | Portage, IN
Gabe my co-worker, my supervisor, my Mason brother, wish I would have kept better contact with you, that was my loss. You will be remembered and missed by your friends and Brothers. Your family will be in my prayers.
John Minchuk
November 22, 2011 | Merrillville, IN
So sorry for your loss. He couched my daughter many years ago in PYB. He was a great coach and all around nice guy. All these years later I would see him around town and at a couple of weddings and he would ask about her by name with great smile on his face. Truly he will be missed by many.
Wilken Family
November 21, 2011 | Portage
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Let memories be your wings.
Anne Pickering and family
Anne Pickering
November 21, 2011 | Portage, IN
Barb and Families... I am truly sorry for your loss. He will be deeply missed. He was a very kind hearted man. My heart breaks for all of you. May he rest in peace. You will always carry your memories of him with you in your hearts forever. God bless your whole family.
November 21, 2011
Barb,Josh,Jessica and Jenny I'm truly sorry you lost a great person he is in your heart and in your memories always.
Roxanne Sanders
November 21, 2011 | Portage, IN
There are no words, I hope you are comforted by all the love pouring out in prayer by all the people that knew Gabe. He was truly a kind and patient person, happy to share his talents and warm smile with the young people of Portage, and their parents .He will be missed, yet always remembered . God be with you in this time of sorrow.
paula butera
November 21, 2011 | Portage, IN
