John Curtis Irwin Rocke
July 10, 1949 - June 15, 2022
Jolene Firgens recently posted this sad announcement... RIP John
"I am devastated and heartbroken. Go with the angels John Rocke. You are and always will be my brother and so loved by my family. My condolences to Adam, Connie and Katie and John’s son."
No further details known at this time.
UPDATE
Trudie Lombard Hentze posted the following on the class 1965 FB page and she gave permission to post it here:
I am sharing this email from Adam (with his permission) regarding the passing of his brother, John Rocke, BHS 67. John was an LA County presecutor, as well as an instructor for legal classes at LA Mission College. Adam would like all sympathies sent to John's wife, Katie (address below); however, I know he would also appreciate hearing from BHS friends on his personal email at
arocke@gmail.com. He does not subscribe to Facebook. I will provide information on any services when I have something to share:
This is to inform you that my brother, John Rocke, passed away today (Wed June 15th). As you might guess, I am shattered and his wife Katie is just so pained.
I cannot say anything more about his passing. It appears it was natural causes and I guess we may never know for sure what the causes were. This happened sometime after about 5:30 (Wed) morning.
Arrangements for his burial are being made. Please express your sympathies to his wife Katie as the address of 27021 East Island Drive, Valencia, CA 91355. I am sure she would appreciate it.
I do not have any further information at this time.
Adam Rocke
PS I might add that the Rocke family lost their sister, Louise Rocke, BHS '62 back in 2012 (link). Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers
A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...
Betty WorlandWhat a shock. John was a great guy. So sorry to hear this sad news.
Kathie Maybinsaddened to hear this .He lived in the neighborhood Such a great guy RIP John
Lorraine TaylorSo sorry for your loss. May God wrap his arms around the family to bring you peace
Barbara Zelenay BerryTotally
shocked. I have known him since elementary school. He lived on the
next street over from me. My heart goes out to his family. Rest in
peace John.
Susan CasimanoSuch a wonderful guy! Seems like we texted just s shirt time ago! Heartbreaking news
Carol BakerI
am so sorry to hear about John's passing. He was one of the nicest
people, always had something nice to say about everyone. RIP, my
thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Julie GuttridgeMy
heart is broken. Just loved his brilliant mind & soul. We got to
talk a lot about Jesus so feel he is with Him in heaven. I feel esp bad
for brother Adam. They were so close. Also condolences to his son
& wife Katie.
Betsey NashThe Rocke’s move into our first house on Birmingham, when we moved up the street. Nice family!
Susan Peña MacCaskeyO
No, I'm shocked and heartbroken, such a nice guy. Meet him while I in
junior high when he was a proctor during our nutrition and lunch, all
the girls had a huge crush on him. We talked about this a few times. He
mostly stood near the juke box. . .
RIP Dear John
Julie GuttridgeWanted to add this wedding picture of John, wife Katie & brother Adam.
Marilyn Williams PetersonOh my gosh this is so shocking and heartbreaking.
I was just telling my husband I read his post a couple days ago about
Bruce Fossler's retirement and he always had something good to say about
and to people. See you in heaven
John Rocke
Patti DobrowolskiSo sad. He help our family with free legal advise when my brother died. RIP
Fran SerafinUnbelievable,
Unfair, Unreal, Unnecessary, Unnerving, R I Whatever way you feel best.
.... I just CAN'T believe this as well as DON'T want to believe this-
Don RayNoooooooo!!!!!’
Bruce FosslerHe was my Best Friend..I am heart broken. I can’t talk or think…sorry John..too much for me to process…
I Love You..and I Will sign off as I always do.
You are and will always be my friend
Our last call we talked about the Wheel of Life and how our name was on it…Yesterday the wheel landed on you..
MEMORIALSERVICES
John Rocke’s memorial being July 8th at 10:00 at Mt Sinai Hollywood Hills at the chapel there. That is open to all but the burial will be just for family.
John’s wife Katie would like folks to make donation to an animal rescue in your area in leu of flowers.
John Rocke, a resident of Santa Clarita, California, passed away suddenly at home on June 15, 2022, at the age of 72.
John was born July 10, 1949, to his parents Dr. Robert Rocke and Dinah Rocke in Hollywood California. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Burns, his brother, Adam Rocke, and his sister-in-law, Connie Rocke and their family, and his son, Patrick Chapman, his daughter-in-law, Christine Chapman, and his three grandchildren: Rebecca, Dylan, and Sophie, and his beloved French bulldogs, Lulu and Gigi. He is pre-deceased by his parents and sister, Louise.
John graduated from Burbank High School, and attended UCLA for his under graduate work and graduate degree in Political Science. He then attended UC Davis School of Law and UCLA School of Law, where he earned his J.D. John also attended officer's training school while in the Air Force National Guard, where he was a member of the 146th Air Wing in Van Nuys for over 13 years.
During John's legal career he worked with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office as a prosecutor, the District Attorney's Office of Los Angeles County, the Public Defender's Office with Los Angeles County and the City of Burbank's Attorney's Office. John also taught Administration of Justice classes at Mission Community College in the San Fernando Valley for many years and up to the time of his passing.
John was a lifetime student, a prolific reader and writer. John was known for his generosity, truly cared about people and made many friends over his lifetime.
Services will be held on July 8, 2022, at 10:00 am at Mount Sinai Memorial Park at 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California, 90068, where condolences can be made. In lieu of sending flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter or services.
Published by The Santa Clarita Valley Signal from Jun. 25 to Jul. 23, 2022.
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