Harold E. Roche passed away at the Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading, on Friday, January 9, 2009. He was 99 years of age. Harold was born in Somerville, moved to Melrose at the age of 7, was a Melrose resident for 88 years and has been living in Wilmington the past 5 years. Harold attended Melrose Schools and enjoyed playing ice hockey and running. Mr. Roche served in the US Army Air Corps as a flight instructor during WWII. He attended flight school in Westfield, MA and remained a flight instructor for the War Service Training Program. He was assigned to the US Army Airforce 53rd AAFFID Division at the Carlstrom Field, Florida, training many fighter pilots for WWII. Harold worked as a machinist for more than 35 years at United Carr Fastener/TRW in Cambridge, MA. Also, Mr. Roche worked as a part-time flight instructor at the Revere & Beverly Airports until the mid 1970's. Harold enjoyed his annual trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia until his 94th birthday. He was an avid pilot, enjoyed photography & boating and thoroughly enjoyed watching his 2 granddaughters sporting events. Harold was a frequent visitor at the VFW Post in Saugus, the Omelet House in Wakefield and was a founding member of Incarnation Church in Melrose. Mr. Roche was the husband of the late Antoinette (Mury) Roche. Loving father of Anne Marie Braid & her husband Bob of Wilmington. Devoted grandfather of Alicia & Julie Braid. Brother of the late Willard & Francis Roche. Brother-in-law of Reta Roche of Melrose & Joseph Mury of Nova Scotia. Also survived by several nieces & nephews. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Wed. Jan. 14th at 9AM. Funeral Mass in The Church of the Incarnation, 425 Upham St. Melrose, at 10AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours Tuesday 3-7PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Harold's name to Sawtelle Family Hospice House, 320 Haverhill St. Reading, 01867.