Mathew Joseph Rocha went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 30, 2023. The youngest of four children, Mathew was born on December 19, 1937, to Frank and Mamie (Souza) Rocha.Mathew grew up near Davis, CA, on his family's dairy and graduated from Davis High School in 1956 where he had excelled in many sports. He soon joined the Army and served through 1959, rising to the rank of Staff Sgt. E6. He was also honored to be part of the 101st Airborne Division that protected the Little Rock Nine in Arkansas, giving them the opportunity to attend high school and starting the integration of schools in the south.On May 5, 1962, Mathew and Janet Skyberg were married at Saint James Catholic Church in Davis, CA. Blessed with three children - Mathew Martin in 1963, Elizabeth Marie in 1965 and David Allen in 1966, they raised their family just outside of Davis.In 1979, upon the disappearance of his beloved sister, Dolores Wulff, Mathew's family expanded as he and Janet took care of Dolores' youngest two sons - Tom and Paul - and all four of her children, including Carl and Anna Marie, became like his own throughout the years. Mathew's many passions were coaching youth softball and baseball, golfing, playing cards, watching SF 49ers and SF Giants and playing Senior softball for many years, and won many World Series and All American awards. He was always up for a good joke and a funny story and enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mathew was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Ellard Rocha, Dolores Rocha Wulff, Frank Rocha and daughter-in-law, Leigh Anne Raschkow. He is survived by children Mathew Rocha and his children, Sami and Blake of Bellevue, WA; Elizabeth Rocha of Davis, CA, and sons, Gabe Gochez and son, Dominic of Sacramento, CA.; Tayler and Hang Rocha and daughter, Kimberly of Lawrenceville, GA; David (Delia) Rocha of Ventura, CA, and their children, David (Laura) Rocha and stepdaughter, Gracie, and daughters, Ellie and Magdalena of Rohnert Park, CA; Riley (Levi) Sanchez and stepdaughters, Peyton and Hunter, and son, Maverick of Spring Valley, CA; Dalton (Chloe) Rocha and children, Jameson and Cooper of Ventura, CA; and, Grayson Rocha; as well as devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, many extended family and countless friends! A Catholic mass will be held on Friday, July 14 at 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Church in Woodland, CA, followed by a service at St. Joseph's Cemetery. A "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday, July 15 from 11 am - 3 pm at Davis Community Park.Memorial contributions can be made to The Tunnel To Towers Foundation in honor of Mathew. Online at T2T.org (check the box "dedicate my donation in honor of") or by calling 718.987.1931.

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Published by Daily Democrat on Jul. 9, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Mathew Rocha

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3 Entries

Debbi Frey

August 17, 2023

Loved "Uncle Mafu" so much. We called him that because he called my daughter "Jennifu!" He treated us like family! Loved to watch him and Frank fight over Giants & Dodgers! Hysterical! We will miss him!

Fr. Michael Rocha

July 13, 2023

Rest in peace Mat!

April Stowe Gordon

July 11, 2023

Loved Uncle Mat as I called him after many years of having him as a coach. He was my ride to many practices & games we not only shared the love of softball but also country music. We would share cassette tapes & I would make him some mixed tapes of all our favorites that we would listen to on the way to a game. He had a nickname for all of his players & mine was "July". We worked on many trick plays at practice when I played 3rd & of there was a runner in 3rd less than 2 outs he would tell me shoot the Portuguese which meant I creeped in even with the pitchers mound knowing the batter most likely was going to bunt & if it came to me I was to fake pump a throw to 1st & 9/10 the runner would be on my backside trying to score & I´d turn around & tag them out it would work 1-2 times in a game he would just laugh. Mat was 1 in a million so patient & willing to teach anyone that was willing to learn anything he knew. I won´t make it to his services but I´ll have a "Gummy" juicy fruit in your memory. When he pitched BP he would have a bucket of balls & tell us girls if we hit the bucket he´d give a gummy which was a stick of gum & it was usually juicy fruit and once in a while he´d have big red lol. Can´t wait to play on the field with you again in heaven.

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