Dave 'Rosie' Roche. RIP

Bannasidhe

Hi Mods - hope it it is ok to post this here. Haven't seen any other thread in this forum that marks the passing of a Titan of the struggle for Equality in Ireland.



Last Saturday Ireland lost an irreplaceable man. Dave 'Rosie' Roche charmed, fought, cajoled, and lived his life in a way that was a beacon of light and hope to LGBTQ+ people in Ireland for decades.
A big bear of a man filled with humour and compassion, Dave is truly irreplaceable.
There hasn't been a LGBTQ+ initiative or activity in Cork that Dave wasn't involved in - From being a welcoming and supportive presence in The Other Place to LGBT Awareness Week to Cork Pride to the Cork Gay Project Dave was our constant.

Dave was a Corkman through and through and wise enough to use his sense of place and obvious love of his city to chart a course for equality that simply couldn't be faulted. He saw that the campaign was long-term and would be won in the living rooms, families, and communities of Ireland. So he chose to focus on the small pond he knew and for decades resolutely skimmed stones of charm whose ripples will be felt for generations- far beyond the boundaries of the Rebel County. They are global.

Last Saturday Dave's Big heart failed him and his loss has left us stunned. We can only imagine what he would have achieved in the many many years of life he should have been around to enjoy. And boy oh boy - did he enjoy life!

He was our Captain.
Our Guide.
Our Rock.
We are bereft.

Good Bye Rosie.



The following are the funeral arrangements for the much loved David John Roche Cork Gay Project
Keohanes Funeral Home, Mayfield 12 to 8pm on Tuesday 4th July.
Wednesday 5th July from 12 to 2pm and The Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy at 3pm

Annasopra

I met Dave a few times.

He was such a lovely lovely man. He had a wicked sense of humour. Often people question the idea of a community. For me as you said though Bannasidhe I think Dave epitomised the idea of the LGBTQ+ community. The younger generations of LGBTQ+ people in Cork and indeed Ireland benefited greatly from Daves tireless work on our behalf and we owe him gratitude for that.