PORTLAND — Henry E. DeRoche, 90, died June 28, after a brief battle with cancer.

He was born one of nine children in Portland Feb., 28, 1923, to Joseph and Marie DeRoche. DeRoche was educated in Portland, graduating from Cheverus High School in 1941. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theater, discharged at the rank of Sergeant at the end of WWII.

He married Therese C. Fortin in January 1946, and settled in Portland, raising three sons. He spent most of his career at S.D. Warren Paper Co. in Westbrook. DeRoche was an accomplished carpenter, building his family home in Portland and a summer cottage on Thomas Pond, Casco. DeRoche worked part time as a carpenter most of his life.

After retirement, in the late 1980s, he traveled to Venice, Fla., each fall, returning to Maine each spring. DeRoche and his wife, Terry, made many friends in their community and on the golf course in Florida.

DeRochee enjoyed time spent with family. He loved to hunt, fish, ski, play golf and go camping. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and was always ready to tell or listen to a good joke. He was also an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan.

He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years in 2006.

DeRoche is survived by his sister Doris Stickney; three sons Edward and wife Diana, Thomas and wife Adonlie, and William and wife Kathy; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom he was very proud of.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 14 at St. Pius X Church, Portland. An informal gathering followed in the Church Hall. Services were entrusted to Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to your favorite charity or the Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7295.

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