Thompson - John J. 'Joey' LaRoche, 47, of Sunset Hill Road, passed away on March 3, 2025. Born in Moore, OK, he was the son of John Joseph LaRoche and Yvonne Terrell.
Joey worked as a mason for many years throughout New England. He was an enrolled member of the confederated Salish & Kootenai tribes of The Flathead Reservation in Polson, Montana. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking with his sons. Anyone who knew Joey knows that he was an avid animal lover and would always be the first to help an animal that needed it. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing and listening to music, especially the guitar, drums and piano, and going to hockey games with his Uncle Rodney and his cousins, Nate and Cody. Everyone will remember him for his gentle smile, big heart and hugs, and his love for the outdoors.
Joey is survived by his partner, Sara Butterfield; sons Mason, Hunter, Greyson, and Chase of
Putnam, CT.; siblings Shannon LaRoche of Thompson, CT and Sheila Gilman of Gloucester, RI; aunts Iona Lamay and her husband Rodney of Thompson, CT, Joanne LaRoche of
Putnam, CT, Peggy LaRoche of Killingly, CT; uncles Edward Terrell of Fredericksburg, VA, David Terrell of Arlee, MT, and Tony O'Brien of Prague, OK; nieces and nephews, Aiden, Devin, Wyatt, Gunnar, Savannah, Dalton, and Pasha.
Joey is predeceased by his grandmother Susie Virginia Stasso O'Brien of Arlee, MT; grandfather Forest O'Brien of Arlee, MT; grandmother Anne R. Hayes of Brooklyn, CT; grandfather Laurent "Joe" LaRoche of North Grosvenordale, CT; uncle Brian LaRoche of Brooklyn, CT; and step father, Alan Phaiah.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joey's family from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street,
Putnam, CT. A graveside service for Joey will be held the following day at 1pm at St. Joseph Cemetery in North Grosvenordale, CT. In lieu of flowers please consider planting a tree in Joey's honor, or making a memorial contribution to Paws Cat Shelter, 74 School Street,
Putnam, CT 06260. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
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