Gabriel Rocha

Portage, Indiana

Gabriel Rocha, age 53, a resident of Portage passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. He was born on March 21, 1958 in East Chicago, Indiana, the son of Jesus and Maria Rocha. Gabriel was a 1976 graduate of Edison High School. He was married to Barbara Miller on July 16, 1983 in Merrillville. Gabe worked as a Manager of BOF Operations at Arcelor Mittal Steel in Burns Harbor and had also worked at the Arcelor Mittal - Indiana Harbor plant for over 32 years. Gabe was a member Glen Park Masonic Lodge # 732 and a member of Scottish Rite – Valley of South Bend. Gabe was a long time coach for Portage Youth Basketball, he coached for the Portage Little League, and also a coach for the AAU Traveling Basketball league. Gabe enjoyed golf, water skiing, softball, sports, and was a huge Chicago Bears fan. Gabe was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and a dear friend to all.

Gabe is survived by his loving family; wife Barbara Rocha, Portage, son Joshua Rocha, Hobart, daughters Jessica (Matt) Miklos, DeMotte, and Jennifer Rocha, Portage, parents Jesus and Maria Rocha, Lake Station, brother Jorge Rocha, Hobart, Fernando (Maria) Rocha, Bakersfield, California, Louis (Brenda) Rocha, Valparaiso, James Rocha, Lake Station, sisters Terry (Al) Gomez, Portage, Dianna (Mike) Miller, Portage, and Esther (Jerry) Baldazo, Lake Station, numerous nieces and nephews, and other loving family and dear friends.

A visitation for Gabriel Rocha will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, November 21, 2011 directly at Real Life Community Church, 3134 Swanson Road, Portage. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday evening at Real Life Church. A funeral service for Gabriel Rocha will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at Real Life Community Church, with Pastor Duane Schmidt, officiating. Burial will be at Angelcrest Cemetery in Valparaiso. Memorials in Gabe's memory may be made to the Rocha family. For further information please call Rees Funeral Home at (219) 762-3013 or online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.