Obituary of Raymond T. Rochford

Mr. Raymond T. “Rocky” Rochford, 86, of 502 N. Kerr St., Titusville passed away at 3:05 AM on Thursday, March 19, 2015, at the Titusville Area Hospital. Mr. Rochford was born on Dec. 21, 1928, in Uniontown to the late Raymond T. and Kathryn (Smith) Rochford. He married Norma Weaver on February 23, 1952, at St. Walburga Church. He was a graduate of Titusville High School, class of 1946. Mr. Rochford was proud to have served in the US Marine Corp. He entered the service on September 17, 1946 at Buffalo, NY and assigned as an infantry assault demolitionist. He received the Honorable Service Lapel Button, Good Conduct Medal, WW II Victory Medal and Navy Occupational Service Ribbon. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant on August 12, 1948. He was formerly employed for 35 years in the hot mill and production control departments at Universal Cyclops Specialty Steel Corporation. He retired on January 31, 1991. Rocky was a proud life member of the Bruce Shorts Post 5958, VFW, a longtime usher at St. Titus Church, a member of the Quarter Century Club, Elder Statesmen and Mt. Hope Golf Leagues, and the Robert L. Green Detachment Marine Corp League. He enjoyed coaching his sons’ baseball and basketball teams in his younger days and was a passionate Notre Dame Fan. Mr. Rochford is survived by his wife Norma Rochford of Titusville; two sons, Terry Rochford and wife Jean of Titusville, Kevin Rochford of High Point, NC; five grandchildren, Benjamin Rochford of Gainesville, FL, Gregory Rochford of Titusville, Madison Gaulden and husband Blake of Durham, NC, Kelsey Rochford of Charlotte, NC, McKenzie Rochford of Boone, NC; a great grandson, Ford Gaulden of Durham, NC; 2 sisters, Letty Dahle of Charlottesville, VA, Mary Stillwell and companion Howard Burr of Alliance, OH; 2 sisters-in-law, Laura Rochford of Ocala, FL, Pat Weaver of Titusville; a former daughter-in-law, Marianne Rochford of High Point, NC; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Kyle Patrick Rochford and a brother, John Rochford. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 9:30 AM in St. Titus Church with Fr. Walter E. Packard of the Catholic Community of Titusville as Celebrant. Interment will be in St. Catharine’s Cemetery with full military rites observed. Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Community of Titusville 510 W. Spring St., Titusville, PA 16354 or to the Shine Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Bruce Shorts Post 5958 VFW, 206 St. John St., Titusville, PA 16354.