Roderick J. CROCHIERE

Roderick J. Crochiere, 85, of Suffield, CT beloved husband of Joan (Jasmin) Crochiere passed away Monday, (July 28, 2014) at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA. Born February 20, 1929 in Chicopee., MA son of the late Odilon and Rose (Leduc) Crochiere he lived in Warehouse Point before moving to Suffield 43 years ago. Roderick served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, after serving he attended and graduated from the Hartt School of Music / University of Hartford where he majored in trumpet and education. At the age of eight he began playing the trumpet which led him into a career of music, he became an accomplished trumpet, tuba and bass player. He taught music in Chicopee, Milford and Enfield and retired in 1986 teaching at Enrico Fermi High School, Enfield. During his career he had the opportunity to play with some of the greatest musicians, he was an honorary member of the Greater Springfield and Berkshire County Musicians Association Local 171. He was a member of a number of bands including the Simsbury Community Band and the Westfield American Legion Band and he was conductor of the Shrine Band. Outside of music he enjoyed playing golf, he was one of the original members of Oak Ridge Country Club, Feeding Hills, MA. Beside his wife, Joan, he is survived by his four children, Keith Crochiere and his wife Eileen of Taunton, MA, Roderick Crochiere, Jr. and his wife Edie of Heath, MA, Jay Crochiere and his wife Alice of Hopkinton, MA, Kim Soukup of Chicopee, MA; a sister, Georgette Thomas of FL; many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Joyce (Corbeille) Crochiere, a son Christopher Crochiere and several brothers and sisters. His family will receive friends Monday, August 4, 2014 from 6-8 PM at Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East St. N. (Rt. 159), Suffield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2014, 10AM, at Sacred Heart Church, 446 Mountain Rd., Suffield. Burial with military honors will be in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Springfield. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc., 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002.