Charles A. LaRocque's Obituary
Charles A. “Charlie” LaRocque, 88, a lifelong Methuen resident and beloved figure in the local sports community, passed away peacefully in his birthplace home on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Born on March 2, 1937, in the heart of Methuen, Charlie was the cherished son of the late George E. LaRocque, Sr. and Blanche A. (Green) LaRocque. Raised in the close-knit neighborhood of Methuen, he attended local schools, where his passion for sports first took root. A proud graduate of Methuen High School, Charlie pursued his love for athletics by attending a professional sports official’s & umpire’s college in Florida, honing his skills as sports officiator. His dedication to service led him to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he completed basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, before serving honorably in the U.S. and later in post-war Korea as an M.P. Officer. After returning to his home in Methuen, Charlie was later employed by the town and enjoyed 20 plus years as a Park/Recreation & Tree associate while he continued his sports officiating until his retirement.
Charlie’s true calling, however, was on the sports fields and courts. For over 55 years, he officiated thousands of games, earning a reputation as a tough but fair, knowledgeable, and passionate sports official. He would often be called upon by his older brother George, also a longtime basketball official, to co-officiate Church League basketball games at the Nashua YMCA. Post game discussion led them to joke about who made the best calls during the game. Charlie was a fan of all sports - college basketball, MLB, the NFL, and NHL. His favorite pastime was channel surfing to follow his favorite teams. Charlie loved talking sports for the excitement of it, no matter win or lose. His near-encyclopedic memory for scores, statistics, and game details made him a legend among those who knew him. His love for all sports extended beyond officiating; he was a fixture at Rockingham Park in Salem, NH, and cherished his trips to the Saratoga Race Course in New York in his earlier years.
Charlie leaves behind a legacy of love and connection. “Jink” will be deeply missed by his many nieces and nephews, including: George R. LaRocque, Esq. and his wife, Paula, of New Hampshire; Dr. Robert J. LaRocque, DDS and his wife, Colleen, of Florida; Michael J. LaRocque and his wife, Susan, of New Hampshire; Mary Ellen Szuksta of New Hampshire; and Joanne M. Radziewicz and her husband, Peter, of New Hampshire, along with their families. Charlie was predeceased by his older brother, George R. LaRocque, Sr., former Associate Executive Director of the Nashua YMCA, and his wife, Margaret (Cavanaugh), as well as his niece, Charlene L. Sakellar.
Family and friends are warmly invited to honor and celebrate Charlie’s remarkable life at a Funeral Mass on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11 AM at St. Monica Parish, 212 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA 01844. Guests are kindly requested to meet directly at the church, with no procession from the funeral home. Following the service, burial will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a memorial contribution be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. To share a memory or send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, is deeply honored to serve the LaRocque family during this time of remembrance.
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