Rudolph Rochester

Rudolph Charles Rochester of Barclay, MD fell asleep in death, October 29, 2010 at his home after living with cancer since 2005. He was 78 years old. Born in Centreville, MD on May 12, 1932 to the late, Mildred Washington- Richardson and late Arthur Roland Rochester. He was also preceded in death by Oliver Richardson who raised Rudy and who Rudy knew and loved as his father. Rudy grew up a QA county boy. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his cousins. Way before “trespassing” signs were the order of the day, he hunted by foot many of the farms around the area. Rudy was drafted and served in the U.S. Army for 18 months. When he left the service, January 30, 1961, he was a Lieutenant Col. He married Marion Bratcher and shared their lives till her death in 1989. Together they raised five children. He retired from DuPont in Deepwater, N.J. in 1985, after more than 30 years of working as a Warehouse Foreman. Most will remember him as someone that loved family, friends and the ministry. He especially enjoyed his time fishing and small game hunting with his children. He had a natural ability for building things. Never needed a blue-print, He only needed a mental picture to bring any project to completion. Rudy took a lot of pride in his projects. He also showed the same ability with his love of the Holy Bible. Often quoting scriptures whenever there was an opportunity. His hope was that all children come to an accurate knowledge of the scriptures. (John 17:3) The scriptures gave him so much comfort. Especially in his last days, knowing that one day that those in the “memorials tombs will come out” (John 5:28, 29) to an earthly resurrection on a Paradise Earth. (Psalms 37:11) He was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness on October 7, 1989 at the Crownsville Assembly Hall in Crownsville, MD. On January 6, 1996, he married Jacqueline Knight of Penns Grove, N.J. Along with their only child, Brett Rochester, they resided in Barclay, MD. Those he leaves to mourn his loss are his beloved and devoted wife of 14 years, Jacqueline Knight – Rochester of Barclay, MD, and their son Brett. His half brother, Robert Rochester of Barclay, MD, his half sisters, Emma Dandy of Philadelphia, PA and Lillian Burnett of Wilmington, DE. He was preceded in death by a half brother, Waymon Rochester. He will also be missed by his children, Cynthia Winchester of Dover, DE, Janice Rochester-Harris (David) of Wilmington, DE, Bruce Rochester of Wilmington, DE, Sherry Rochester-Millberry of Elkton, MD, Gordon Rochester of Wilmington, DE, and Ruby Rochester-Sisco (Cornelius)of Kansas City, MO. Rudy has 9 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nephews and nieces. He will never be forgotten, and will be missed by all that knew and loved him. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 from 10 to 11 AM at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home in Millington, MD. Funeral Services will follow at 11AM. Interment will be in Rochester Cemetery in Ingleside, MD.

Rudolph Rochester

May 12, 1932 - October 29, 2010