RIP Fr. Dennis Rocheford
Priest jumps off bridge in Rhode Island
In our grief, it is comforting to think that a loved one’s soul is automatically in heaven. That judgment is God’s alone. Let’s do Father Rocheford the long-term favor of continuing to pray for his soul and ours.
Lord have Mercy on this poor suffering man’s soul. Thank you Lord for all the work he did for Your Kingdom whilst on earth. Please hold him close to You and Your Mother’s Heart.
Please remember first – all the good works of Fr. Dennis Rocheford.
From the family of Fr. James Chevedden, S.J. who was reported as a suicide victim.
My heart is so sad… I knew Dennis in the Navy when we served together at Camp Lejeune, NC back in 1989… he was a great priest… but I know he suffered and would never share his suffering. What a great tragedy for all who know and love him. Dennis, if I could shake you “again” I would… you are loved… you are a priest forever … even in heaven. “Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.” God +bless his family and friends…. Fr. Anthony
Father Dennis’ tragic death is a terrible shock. Father Dennis was ordained in 1977. Father Dennis had served as young enlisted Marine diuring Vietnam, at the same time that I was serving as a then young Airman.
We were both ordained priests for the Diocese in Worcester, Massachusetts. I was in 1976 and Dennis in 1977 both of us by the same wonderful bishop, Bishop Bernard J Flannagan. Our paths diverged for a while after I transferred to the Melkite Eparchy of Newton, but they later converged and our friendship was renewed as we both served as military chaplains and found ourselves stationed nearby (on one occasion), in joint wartime operations overseas during te two Gulf wars, and at a number of military archdiocesan conferences, retreats etc.
Father Dennis was a “Marine’s Marine.” Since he had lived it, he understood the life of the young Marine and was able to relate to their needs .and minister to them in a way few others could. He was one of the most effective military priests I have known. He will be sorely missed. I pray that our All-Merciful God will grant peace to him. In the words of the Kondakion used in Melkite Catholic memorial service:
“O Christ God, with the Saints, grant rest to the soul of Your suffering servant the Priest Dennis, in a place where there is no pain, noo grief, no sighing, but everlasting life. Memory eternal.”
Father Dennis was a miraculous man, Marine and servant of God. He saw me and countless others through arduous summers of training in Quantico, VA. I served as one of his Lay Ministers and received an awesome sense of peace and strength from his stewardship.
Semper Fidelis Father, we’ve got the watch.
Since hearing of Fr Dennis’ death the Marine Corps’ family has been stunned at the loss of this Man of God. He was always there for us, regardless the circumstances or the personal sacrifice. I lost count of the times his office/tent lights would burn into the night while helping a needy soul. He was a good friend, an awesome Marine and a devoted priest – a man I am proud to have known.
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
Semper Fi.
Fr. Rocheford was an unbelievable inspiration and relentless leader that made immense impact on so many lives. I will never forget his ability to motivate discouraged Marines and candidates with a quick discussion or words of encouragement. He understood his calling and fulfilled it everyday…what a great Catholic and a great American. From his days of being Squad Leader in Vietnam and taking enemy fire (which oddly lead to his vocation to priesthood) to hiking/running the Quantico highlands with thousands of Marines every year, Fr. Rocheford influenced and knew every soul.
He truly was a Marine’s Marine and never have I personally been so inspired by a guy who was a genuine leader, devote catholic, and great friend/mentor. So much so, he volunteered to travel to NH when I asked him to marry my wife and I in 1998 where he gave an “awesome” homily about our “marathon” together…words we still reference frequently.
Fr. Rocheford, I am crushed with our loss, I know you are now standing tall in your Dress Blues guarding the pearly gates.
Ooh-pray!
I met Fr. Dennis at Camp Lejeune.
He spent his life serving God, his country, and his fellow man.
There is no greater service than that.
Till we meet again, Semper Fi Padre!
We just got the sad news of Father Dennis. We have lost a great brother in arms and servant to God, Country and Corps. He was our family Chaplin at Camp Lejeune, NC in the late 1980’s and greatly impacted the spirituality of my family.
My son became his alter server and I a lector/money counter and general helper with his ministery. Later he was the Boot Camp Chaplin at PI when my son attended and graduated because of his prayers and inspiration. Next, he was the MEU Chaplin and my son his eucharistic minister on a combatant tour in the 1990’s.
He traveled to marry his Marine buddy and spiritual Marine in 1996. We prayed together, servered together, cried together, shared our faith together and look forward to getting together at heavens gates for a muster.
Semper Fi, Lt Col Keith Duhe, CWO II Shane Duhe and families
Fr Roch inspired me to join the Catholic Church and married my wife and I in 1997. He had a charisma and bearing that was unmatched in any other person I’ve ever met.
As a guest speaker at AWS, he told a story to the student Captains of his time in Vietnam as a Infantryman and radio operator in combat. It was a story of his fear and a moment when he let that fear overcome his better judgment. He said his Platoon Leader confronted him afterwards with a gentle reprimand, and that was the last time his fear dominated him.
I loved that story because it indirectly taught us young Captains a number of things–mainly that Marines can make mistakes, be measured in your approach to deal with them; that fear is felt by everyone. I hope Fr Roch is in a place where he can look back on his wise thoughts from that day, and again find peace.
Semper Fidelis, LtCol Andrew Crabb
Father Dennis was an awesome Marine and Chaplain. He married my wife and me on Jan 17, 1998. We, too, had the marathon that we were to embark on mentioned, in reference to the USMC Marathon that we had just run together in Oct, 1998. I thought of him often, and in fact called his parrish and got his cell phone number about three weeks ago, and hadn’t yet called when I saw the news.
Father Dennis was a special person to me, and to everyone I knew who ever met him.
Semper Fi, Father.
Words cannot express the deep sorrow the Marine Corps family feels at the lost of this unselfish servant of God. A Marine’s Marine — he had been there and done that. My world is a little sadder today –,you are in heaven and at Peace with Christ.
Pray for Us.
Semper Fidelis,
Jeff
Father Rocheford was at Quantico Memorial Chapel while I was on the parish council. He was a wonderful man, quick with a kind word and laugh. I will always remember him as a man the teenage children could go to just to talk. He was a wonderful listener. He will be missed terribly and I know God holds him in the palm of His hand. Rest in peace, your tour of duty is over.
I worked with Father Dennis at Parris Island in the early 90’s in the Support Battalion. I was talking to a friend in Pennsylvania about 10 years later who had been a Marine about miltary chaplains. We were both talking about this great chaplain that we knew (me at Parris Island and he while on a float on the Wasp). Turns out we were both talking about Dennis Rocheford. I feel so sad right now I don’t know what else to say.
Father Rocheford was chaplain of Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC in Dec 1991-March 1992 when I was there as a Marine recruit. He helped all of us Marines thru what was mostly likely the three hardest months of our lives. With his help, I was baptized into the catholic faith and into a life of helping people.
I am now 37 years old and a police officer. I am about to be married for the first time. I found his signature on my baptism record when looking at it for the church we are getting married at and thought I would look up the person who inspired me so. I am very sad to hear of the passing of Father Rocheford. I know I, along with many other Marines, could not have made that three months without his help.
I am honored to have known Father Rocheford and I am glad to see that for so many years, he continued to help and be there for people who needed him. His words will remain with me forever.
I served with Father Dennis in Iraq in 2007. He was a well loved and well known chaplain. I just found out today of his passing. I’m deeply saddened. I have no idea what demons he must have been battling. God have mercy on him.
He was a generous soul and most trusted confidant to this junior chaplain.
Mike
Chaplain, USN
Chaps you were an inspiration to us in the hell known as Ar-Ramadi in the winter of 2006. When we grieved for our lost Corpsman and Marines he was there. When I returned from a patrol, he was there. On Christmas Day when I mourned the loss of my brothers he scolded me for skipping mass, and talked to me when I needed it the most. He suffered the same wounds that we carry today, he carried his for over 30 years without complaint, and he continued to go back for more! My God remember you as the Navy and Marine Corps’ best friend when in crisis . Thank you for helping me when I needed it the most.
1st Battalion 6th Marines
2D Marine Division
In the City of Ar-Ramadi, the Province of Al-Anbar
September 2006 – May 2007
Father Rocheford, “Oooh Pray!”
I met Father Rocheford soon after I stepped on the yellow footprints at Parris Island, SC, in January of 1994. As our chaplain, he taught us all to live from chow to chow instead of focusing on the long days or weeks of recruit training. As an Officer candidate in Quantico during the summers of 1996 and 1997, I was inspired to again have Father Rocheford, who was seemingly everywhere, as great sources of both peace and strength.
He always ran the PFT course backwards so he could “high-5” and motivate the runners. By 1998, Father Rocheford had become the TBS chaplain and again seemed to be everywhere that motivation and strength was required, often passing out candies and good stories during long nights in the field.
I was very much saddened when he announced that he was retiring in 1998. He was called back to his Parrish and I think he had been selected for Commander, which may have meant less time in the field with the Marines he loved.
Dennis Rocheford was a Marine and he became a guardian angel to every Marine who was lucky enough to have crossed paths with him. Few lives that are more meaningful have ever ended.
I am truly blessed to have known him and very sad that he is gone.
Rest in peace Father.
I just learned of Father Dennis’ death and am completely devistated. This man saved my marriage, my faith and my life. as a young Marine stationed at Quantico in 1996-1997 I was a newlywed going through many issues which was causing me to question life, and I was straying from the church.
It was by chance that Father Dennis was in the office when I went to talk to a chaplain however I immediately found in him a man lived the word and who genuinely cared about his young Marines.
Through his understanding, I found myself, he helped me rebuild my relationship with my wife of now 15 years and renewed my relationship with Christ and brought me home to the church. I couldn’t wait to go to Mass on Sundays as I knew that through his charisma that I was going to walk away with words to live by.
He used to hold get togethers for his young Marine Officer charges and it was obvious that he was Mentor to many, including myself. It was a sad day when he retired from Quantico in 1998..
I’ve often thought of him and have compared all chaplains and parish priests since then and as I’m currently in Iraq, was excited to learn that he has recently served over here and maybe again learn from his wisdom.
Sadly, all I feel is pain at the world’s loss from this tragedy. There’s no reason to judge or speculate the reasons at this juncture, Just celebrate the amazing life he led and the countless lives he touched and mourn. This is a tragedy…
Semper Fi, Father Dennis, Semper Fi
My son graduated at Parris Island in March 1994. The main person he wanted his family to meet was Fr. Rocheford, and upon meeting him I knew why. He was a kind, concerned man & Marine who loved his Marines with an open heart, mind & soul.
My son and I are devestated by his loss… to the USMC, his parish and as a man & priest in the service to his Lord. As the sister and aunt of Lutheran pastors, I know firsthand the pressures a pastor carries with him on a daily basis.
I can only imagine the additional pressures a military chaplain carries. May God bless and comfort his family and friends.
Farewell and Semper Fi thou good and faithful servant.
Please visit and share your story…..www.frdennisrocheford.org
Father Rocheford confirmed me in Ramadi, Iraq on my second tour. I spent a lot of time talking with him through out my tour. He was an exceptional man.
Fr Rocheford was Chaplain at PI while I was a boot. I was the altar server/lector, spent a lot of time talking with him, he was an all around good man, exceptional priest and counselor, an example of what the priesthood needs desperately.
He had war stories to tell, but spoke of the courage of others, he saw much sadness, but always made you laugh, he carried the burden, so you didn’t.
The poem “Footprints” comes to mind.
Those who knew him are better for it. Sad news, I pray his soul is at rest with the Lord.
Eternal rest, Dennis……
Fr Dennis Rocheford, Servant of God and his fellow Man