Edward was the eldest of 4 boys, born and raised in Hawaii on July 17, 1932, years before Hawaii was granted its stateship. He grew up on a sugarcane plantation in Honolulu Hawaii, and remembered seeing the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, when he was just 9 years old.
Edward came to California in 1956 for employment opportunities, and shortly thereafter, met and married his wife, Mary, in Lodi CA. Edward and Mary celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary two days before his passing.
Edward believed in strong family values, and took great pride in his three kids, Alexis Rocha of Puyallup, WA, Glynis and Steve Morehouse of Hollister and Derek and Colleen Rocha of Howell, MI and his six grandchildren, Adrian Sotelo, Mitchell Morehouse, Katelyn Morehouse, Layla Rocha, Kendra Rocha and Devin Rocha. He is also survived by his brothers, Andy Rocha of Honolulu, HI, Danny Rocha of The Big Island, HI and Lawrence Rocha of Birmington, VT, as well as cousins and many nieces and nephews.
Edward had a great deal of integrity, a strong work ethic, and was very conscientious about maintaining perfect health, which he enjoyed prior to the devastating diagnosis of Mesothelioma. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, wine tasting, and BBQing with family. It was not unusual for him to attend sporting and equestrian events in support of his grandkids as they grew up.
Edward possessed a rare and beautiful bond with horses, and spent countless hours over the years caring for them, as well as for his dog, affectionately named JakeWillie. Additionally, he enjoyed tending to his small orchard of assorted fruit trees, and his vegetable garden. He found peace in the solitude and the natural beauty of the Hawaiian landscape, as well as the gentle rolling, oak studded hills of California’s cattle country.
Edward used his hands to help others and his arms to hold his loved ones. He taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, perseverance and honesty. His immense capacity to love was shown by how he lived his life. He was surrounded by his wife, his three kids, and many of his grandkids when he passed away peacefully at home on June 30, 2011, after a seven month battle with Mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Private cremation is followed by private family inurnment.
Donations are preferred to The American Cancer Society in his memory.
Condolences: www.blackcoopersander.com
