Longtime Truckee resident, husband, father, coworker and friend, Roger Laroche, lost his battle against a brain tumor on Thursday, October 27th, 2011. He passed peacefully at home in Truckee, California surrounded by his family. He was born on January 26th, 1949 in Lewiston, Maine to Gerard and Helene Laroche.

Roger grew up in a French speaking home in Lewiston, Maine where he enjoyed summer camping trips and winter activities with his family. After high school Roger attended Husson Business College in Bangor, Maine. He left college early to pursue his true passion: skiing. Roger lived the true and#8220;ski bumand#8221; lifestyle working as a ski patrolman, ski instructor and managing a local ski shop. In 1976 he married his soul mate, Diane Laroche. In 1980 Roger and Diane welcomed their first child, Nicole, into the world, followed by the birth of their son, Michael, in 1982.

In 1980 Roger moved out west to Truckee, California to start his career in the ski industry; his family followed in 1981. The pure beauty of the Truckee area and the abundance of outdoor activities is what drew Roger to the area. It was in Truckee that Roger’s love of the outdoors thrived through the activities he loved: fishing, biking, sailing, kayaking, skiing, x-country skiing and snowshoeing. Whether he was fighting a trout on the water or ripping the trails on his dirt-bike … he was truly at home here.

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In 1995 Roger obtained a position with Superfeet Worldwide and not only became part of their sales team but was accepted as part of their family. He went on to become a Certified Pedorthist and was later promoted to Regional Sales Manager. Roger was very well-known in the ski and outdoor industries as an iconic representative of the company.

Everyone who was lucky enough to know Roger knew how special he was. A and#8220;second fatherand#8221; for many extended family members, friends and coworkers, Roger had a huge and loving heart, and an off-the-charts positive outlook that helped him deal with the realities of his illness. He will be remembered not only for his warm spirit and jolly laugh, but as an inspiration on how to live, even in the most difficult of times, with humor, love for others, and a zest for life.

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Roger is survived by his wife of 35 years, Diane Laroche, of Truckee, CA, his two children Michael Laroche of Truckee, California and Nicole Laroche of Reno, Nevada; along with his brother Paul Laroche and his sister Denise Schwartz of Harpswell, Maine. Roger is preceded in passing by his father, Gerard Laroche, and his mother, Helene Laroche.

A memorial mass will be held in honor of Roger at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 10930 Alder Drive, Truckee, California on Saturday, November 5th at 11 am followed by a Celebration of Life at Coyote Moon Golf Course, 10685 Northwoods Boulevard in Truckee, California. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Assumption Church Food and Resource Support Program for the Needy, at the address above, or to Tahoe Forest Hospice, P.O. Box 759, Truckee, CA.