Petersburgh – Bernard J. DeRocher, 78, formerly of Toad Point Road, Petersburgh, NY, died on Saturday, February 7, 2009, at Albany Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Cohoes, NY, on May 17, 1930, he was the son of the late Felix and Sarah Bentley DeRocher. He was the husband of the late Sylvia Gott Herald DeRocher, who died on October 15, 2008. They were married on October 1, 1988. He had been a resident of Petersburgh since 1995.
A 1948 graduate of Vincentian Institute in Albany, NY, Bernard attended Albany Business College. He was a Holy Cross Brother serving at Notre Dame, Valatie, NY, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, OH, and Rochester, NY. He also served as a Lutheran supply minister. Mr. DeRocher worked at the American Red Cross co-ordinating its Blood Drive and at Key Bank as a courier, taught defensive driving to seniors in the area and was a volunteer at the Bennington Museum. He was a member of the Grafton United Methodist Church. As his family stated, “He lived his life to serve God and bring happiness and love to others.
Survivors include his loving sister, Pauline Layton of Albany, nieces and nephews, Barbara and husband Thomas Sponable of Syracuse, NY, Sharon and husband Ronald Otty of Albany, John and wife Wendy Layton, Jr. of Altamont, NY, and David and wife Kelly Layton of Schodack Landing, NY, his step-daughter, Dawn M. and husband David Bornt and her family of Troy, NY, along with many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. He will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched.
Funeral services are Thursday, February 12, at noon in the Grafton United Methodist Church, Route 2 and South Road. A time of fellowship will take place after the service in the Church’s Hall. Burial will be private. Visitation will begin in the church at 11 am on Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church in care of Thomas M. Barber Funeral Home, P.O. Box 361, Petersburgh, NY, 12138.