Michael P. Roche

Michael Patrick Roche was born November 27, 1952 and passed away January 8, 2016 of natural causes. Michael was a graduate of Jefferson High School and was intending to complete college and go to Medical School. While attending a patient for Denver General Ambulance, an accident rendered him quadriplegic. He regained enough use of his arms and hands to drive and direct his wheel chair and very effectively operate a computer, indeed worked doing computer programming.

In 1987, he married Paulette J (PJ) Burrous. Together they formed Freedom Dog Services for the training of service dogs to be companions for people with disabilities. He put great effort into this enterprise and, as in his life, he received great joy in helping train dogs and in seeing the love and freedom others gained by canine companionship. Michael served in several positions for Assistance Dogs International, including being President. He created and revised several times a booklet entitled "Legal Rights of Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Service Dogs" with the last revision being in 2003. In 2000, he was named by Channel 7 in Denver as a 7EVERYDAY HERO. He greatly appreciated the efforts of all his aides who helped him so much over the years and, especially Laura Jolly, who with her children enriched his life.

Michael is survived by his mother Emily A. Roche, brothers Thomas Edward, James Raymond and Paul Stephen and ten nieces and nephews. His wife Paulette, father John J. Roche and brother John J. (JJ) Roche Jr., preceded him in death.

Donations can be made to Freedom Dog Services, 2000 W Union Ave, Englewood, CO 80110. No open services are planned.


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