Dear Colin, so kind, so so missed.

Juniper, much love to you.  Nancy

My longtime friend Chris had me over to his father's house around Christmas time and that was the first time I met Colin. Although it being many years ago I still have the vivid recollection of him singing for us and was needless to say taken aback at how beautiful his voice was - such a gift.

My condolences to his family - and heartfelt prayers for the peace and comfort that can only come from God. 

Dear Juniper = I was so terribly saddened to hear the news of Colin's death today.  Please be assured that of all of us, and especially me, at this end are thinking of you and are here for you when you return.  Again my deepest deepest sympathy.  I wish I could be there with you in Toronto but by all accounts you both have wonderful friends who will be there to support you at Colin's memorial on Saturday.  It is evident from the photographs how many good and happy moments he did have in his life with you and I know how caring  and concerned you were to and for him when you made the move to Ottawa. Please know I am with  you in spirit.... with affection.....Sarah Jennings.

P.S. There is a similar e-mail on your NAC e-mail account as I had not spotted this window where I could send you a word.  Hope you receive it safely.

I’m heartbroken to hear of Colin’s passing. He and I were inseparable during our years together at U of T. We were the best of friends, flat mates, drinking buddies and he was the ‘best man’ at my wedding 25 years ago.

We shared many songs together both onstage and off, including impromptu sing-a-longs at our local, The Duke of York, or onstage at U of T and with the Canadian Opera Company. One particularly memorable Opera School performance was the hilarious duet from Emmanuel Chabrier’s L’étoile where our characters get increasingly drunk on stage while sharing a bottle Chartreuse Verte. Art imitates life indeed! I’ll never forget it.

Though we grew apart over the years I will never, ever forget our time together. With his confident swagger, cheeky charm and leading man good looks, Colin would light up any room he entered - and his rich baritone voice was at home in both opera and musical theatre. A great talent!

Though my heart is filled with sadness I can’t help but smile as I look through old photos which I’ll share in another post. So many wonderful memories. This is how I’ll remember Colin, and I will cherish these memories forever.

My deepest condolences to his family, Maurice, Beth, George, Gigi and Chris and to his longtime partner Juniper and family. RIP dear friend.

Dearest Juniper, 

It is difficult to put into words how much Colin will be missed. I will always remember Colin every single time I sing happy birthday. The last time we hung out, I confessed to him that I had borrowed his jazzy version of happy birthday. He was very amused and we spent a few minutes trying to figure out where it had evolved from. I wish I  was able to  ask him again as his fount of knowledge was deeper than mine on the subject. I will continue to sing this version to my loved ones near and far and think of him every single time. My deep condolences to his family and friends in this time of loss. Much love,  Rebecca 

To my dear friend and colleague Chris, and to the entire Roche family,

I was deeply saddened to hear the heartbreaking news of Colin’s passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this profoundly difficult time.

To his beloved family and spouse, I hope you find comfort in the beautiful memories you shared and the love that will forever connect you. Colin’s legacy of kindness, positivity, and the joy he spread will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Dear Juniper,

I have such vivid memories of Colin during our time together at the Faculty of Music.

I can't help but smile at the memory of dancing with him at one of those late-night post-opera-school parties in Tina Orton's living room.

One of my most vivid memories is of Colin singing Barber's "Sure on this shining night" in piano-vocal class — his legato vocal line and expressive diction sounded so effortless. Colin captured the essence of James Agee's words: "Sure on this shining night / I weep for wonder / Wandering far alone / Of shadows on the stars."

Colin's star shines on in our hearts, even as we weep. 

Thinking of you in your time of sorrow. 

Vilma

It's impossible to think about my elementary/high school years without thinking about the friendship of Colin Roche.  We were good friends for many years and shared countless good times and laughs - he always referred to me as "The Big M."    "Direct Approche" - the band I was in in high school - was purposefully spelled that way as a nod to Colin from me and my bandmates who were also friends  of his.  Although our paths went in different directions in the 90s, I never forgot about him, thought about him often and hoped that we could reconnect some day.   I was proud to have had his friendship.   Colin, I will catch up with you later my friend and until then, you will be in my thoughts.  Much love and strength to his family and friends.

Maurice "Moe" Cullity  aka  "The Big M"