Hugo Roche

Hugo D. Roche took his final road trip on July 24, 2025. He passed peacefully with his family by his side. Affectionately known to family and friends as Dad, Pop, Grandpa, Hugo, and Mr. Roche, he will forever be remembered as an incredible example of faith, love, and charity.

Hugo was born on April 10, 1934, in Paxton, Nebraska, to Dorothy (Hehnke) and Joseph Roche and became the Baby Brother to Mary Jo and Rock. After graduating from Paxton, NE, high school, his mom packed his trunk and sent him off to the Jesuits in Denver. He followed his older brother to Regis University and earned his bachelor’s degree and his MBA from Stanford University.

After graduation, he joined the Navy and while stationed in the San Francisco area, he met his future bride, Eleanor Ann Bertain, on a blind date. Returning from a 6-month deployment and after receiving the approval of the Bertain family, the two were married on June 27, 1959, in Scotia, CA. They enjoyed 54 faith-filled years together and were blessed with one son and three daughters.

Hugo’s successful career in Real Estate began with Larry Smith & Co consulting, developing, and managing investment properties in Northern California, Mexico City and Canada. As Hugo’s career grew so did his family.

Hugo was commuting from Woodland Hills to work at the Janss Corporation when he was persuaded to move his family to Thousand Oaks to be involved in the Community. Hugo and Eleanor became widely known in the Conejo Valley Community.

When his time at Janss Corp had runs its course, he opened a successful business venture, Roche Property Management, where he managed commercial properties, shopping centers, industrial parks, and homeowner associations.

Hugo was an active volunteer - he joined the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club in 1978 and had many roles - President, Director, Chair. You could always see his smiling face at the Chili Cook Off, Street Fair and Conejo Valley Days. He was former Chairman of Board for Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, Hospice of the Conejo, Community Conscience, and Los Robles Regional Medical Center.

Hugo was an avid sports fan of hockey, baseball, football, golf, basketball, and horse racing. He supported local youth sport organizations and could tell you a pitch count or penalty times from 30 years ago.

Hugo was always on the move and loved road trips. When he was transferred to Montreal, Quebec in the 60’s, he drove the family’s old brown station wagon across country before Pampers and without A/C, stopping at historical sites along the way, even when out of the way!

Volunteering and spending time with friends at Bible Study, Book Club, St Vincent DePaul, Hearts and Poker games, his Literary Clubs at Bridgeport, and the Getty Museum.

Hugo’s idea to bring all non-profits under one roof became a reality that many organizations benefited from. Under One Roof was this passion that included charities such as Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities and Senior Concerns among others. He was a quiet man that did the legwork and stayed out of the limelight; he always shied away from public accolades.

He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was a scholar, compassionate and kind. Hugo loved God, family, friends, and country. He instilled in others, the love of family and community. He was a great American and lived a life of integrity.

Hugo touched the lives of so many people, he will be forever missed by all who knew him.

Hugo is predeceased by the love of his life his wife, Eleanor, his brother Francis "Rock" Roche, granddaughters JoBeth Ginther and Eliana Recio. He is survived by his sister Mary Jo Satterthwaite, Sister-in-Law, Darlene Roche, son John (Lori) Roche, daughters Julie Ginther, Amy (Doug) Lafayette and Nicole Martinez (Pete). Fifteen grandchildren - Heather Recio (Rich), Joe Roche, Jason Roche, Zach Ginther, Tim Ginther (Shannon), Molly Ginther, Hanna Lafayette (Kathryn), Ally Lafayette (Marcus), Jesse Lafayette, Kni Lafayette, Shannon Martinez, Jenna Martinez, Emma Martinez, and Matt Martinez. Eight great grandchildren - Jeremy Ginther, Asher Recio, Dash Westgate, River Ginther, Kieran Ginther, Dahlia Ginther, Charis Recio, and Fallon Ginther.

A Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on August 5th, at St Paschal Baylon Church located at 155 East Janss Road. On the morning of August 6th at 10:30 am, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church. A reception is scheduled following the mass at the Church Hall. There will be a Private Burial at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Simi Valley, CA.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Vincent DePaul, the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club, or the Getty Museum.