Contributions to the tribute of Wilfred Rochon

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Vince Kennedy posted a condolence

Monday, July 12, 2021

I write to express to you the Rochon family the sincere condolences of the Patricia’s on the passing of this World War II veteran, Wilfred. While Wilfred's service was now a long time ago the Regiment remembers that service in a war against tryanny and militarism, and your family I am sure are proud of that service. His name will be read in this year’s list of the lost when we read that out on November 11th, 2021 in the Sacred Space in Beechwood, the National Military Cemetery, Ottawa. His name will also be listed in the 2021 edition of the Patrician’s Last Post section. Thank you for obviously supporting Wilfred throughout his later years. We are glad that he had a vibrant family and that he was proud of his Metis heritage. Should any of Wilfred's family want to maintain a connection with the Regiment, a gratis three year support membership in the PPCLI Association is available. Contact Mr Herb Kenny, the Membership Chairman, at hkenny@shaw.ca, for details. Thank you all. Brigadier-General Vince Kennedy (Retired) Colonel of the Regiment Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

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Cory Rochon-Ratko posted a condolence

Saturday, July 10, 2021

I am so sorry for the loss of Wilfred. I was saddened to hear of his passing. My father spoke about this vein of the Rochon family as we are from Timmins (now living in London, Ontario) and our cottage was not far from Gogama. My father Sylvio also tried to get into the army at Toronto but was too young and told to return to Timmins and train in case he was needed and this formed the Algonquin Regiment. He joined the reserves and waited his turn wanting desperately to contribute to the cause and my father had a heart of gold and would do anything to help anyone. The Algonquin regiment was the group of the army that they were supposed to be in both Wilfred and my father Sylvio. I have pictures of my father in the regiment of the area. The Algonquin regiment apparently joined up with the Irish Orangemen as I am told and went to battle. Many if not most were slaughtered apparently so had Wilfred been accepted in Toronto then likely he would have NOT lead such a long life and would have likely died along with those in the Algonquin regiment. I thought i would pass this along to you so you would know. I am seeing familiar names in the family tree here and I am more than sure we have Metis in us as well. I am the last Rochon on my father's side. My father was crazy about poppies and insisted on wearing one long before it was "Remembrance Season" so to speak. He worked building the very roads of Timmins and in the mines all his life succumbing to silicosis as a result. He was a heck of an athlete and could run like the wind and crazy strong for quite a slender fellow. He would set the dynamite charges and run away for "'danger pay" on the spot and no one could ever catch up to him with his speed and accuracy and just plain street smarts and common sense real life skills if that makes any sense. He was a gentle spirit and a shy man quick to a smile and a wink but filled with many stories if you took time to listen to him which I did. I have to think there is a connection here of some type. My father did some time in the day Residential Reform Schools as they were called up North. My father is Sylvio Donald ("Dunn") Rochon but he went by the name "Sye". There are Gautiers and Robetaiilles in the clan with the Cobalt area being his birthplace. There seems to be a link to Buckingham, Quebec where I discovered a hub of Rochon Metis. It may have been the mining that brought the whole gang up to the Gogama area I am guessing as it was the "gold rush" bigger than that of the California Gold Rush, truth be told as well as silver and copper in the area. I have to think with the cottage at Sewel Lake seeming attractive to my parents that there had to be a draw back to this area for some reason (near the Gogama cut off). My father also tried to get into the Oshawa car factories at some point so somebody in the family I am going to guess knew about this route out of Northern Ontario. There is also a connection with the French to Windsor since the street names though wildly murdered in pronounciation are French. My husband is from there and I went to Teacher's college in Windsor along with him (where we met) but we have been living for many decades in London now. It gets a bit muddy here and there in the family tree but I just wanted to share this with you all especially that had Wilfred been accepted as part of the Algonquin Regiment that he would have perished and how fortunate that he lived so long a life. His face is similar to my father's so I think this is not a stretch and his kind face also matches my father's. The eyes are the same and I know them because though my father is gone his eyes stare at me in the mirror each morning and I know that he is with me in every molecule of my body (dna) and so we are one forever. I hope this brings you some comfort and if you wish to "connect" as they say then here I am: God speed Wilfred and I hope all the Rochon's are hanging out and talking about the Northern Days of their youth. Prayers to you all and this very much seems a life well lived and he was a highly respected man no doubt. I can share a photo of "Pop" and ask you what you think if you are willing at some point? Sincerely, Cory Rochon-Ratko

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Jim Clarke posted a condolence

Friday, July 9, 2021

I am Jim Clarke and I worked with Wilf for all 34 yrs I was at GM , always admiired his work in the Retirement community.. He will be missed by all his family and friends. R. I. P. Wilf. !!

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Steve Campo posted a condolence

Friday, July 9, 2021

Hello I am Steve Campo and I worked at GM Transmission with your husband and father. Wilf trained me on my first job in 1971, I was 20 years old. What a great man and he was always there to lend a helping hand and show you the ropes. My deepest condolences on the loss of Wilfred.

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John Hall posted a condolence

Friday, July 9, 2021

Thank you for your service Mister Rochon. May you rest in peace.

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Kathy Moore lit a candle

Thursday, July 8, 2021

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The family of Wilfred Rochon uploaded a photo

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Wilfred Rochon

May 17 1926 - July 07 2021

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