Joseph Alexander Rochette

Joseph Alexander Rochette, 65, of Newington, loving husband of the late Deborah (Santerre) Rochette, passed away on February 22, 2024 at Hartford Hospital. He was born in Meriden on July 8, 1958, a son of the late Joseph and Dorris (Hallbach) Rochette. Joseph is survived by his children Dawn Vargas, Sean Rochette and his wife Joanne, Kristina McCauley and her husband James, and Shannon Martin, his sisters Judith Lascelles and her husband Ray, and Jennifer Koshak and her husband Chris, his grandchildren Brylei, Matthew, Nina, Amber, Sean, Calvin, Juliette, Remmy, J.J., Georgiana, and Callahan, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Besides his parents and wife Deborah, he was predeceased by his sister Joanne Dobensky, and his brother Jonathan Rochette. After graduating from Wilcox High School in Meriden, Joseph enlisted in the United States Army, honorably serving during the Cold War. He then went on to work in information technology, retiring most recently from Dianon Systems of LabCorp.
Joseph, known by most as “Jay,” was an easy-going and kind family-man. He loved everyone and would drop everything in an instant to help a family member or friend in need. His passion for art came in handy during his time in the military as an accomplished cartographer and his “paints” were one of his most treasured belongings. He could usually be found at home surrounded by his many computers, whether working, playing games, or tinkering. He enjoyed taking apart, fixing, and reassembling any and every gadget, learning as he went. Jay’s carefree attitude and boisterous laughter will be missed, but his soul is now at home, content and pain-free.
A funeral service celebrating Joseph’s life will be held Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden.