John "Gene" Eugene Rocha

John Eugene “Gene” Rocha passed away on October 31, 2025, at the age of 83.

Gene was born on November 14, 1941, to his parents John Rocha Jr. and Violet Rocha. He was reared with his three brothers; Jerry, Dan and Gary on their family dairy, west of Watsonville, where they all worked daily with ranch chores and milked cows. Gene attended Watsonville High School. During the late 1970’s, the family closed the dairy and purchased a larger ranch, east of Watsonville, and became cattle ranchers, raising mostly Angus cows and calves.

Gene married his wife Marie “Isabel” Rocha in 1996, and they made their home at the ranch, where they enjoyed hunting and all aspects of ranching life. Gene and Isabel enjoyed traveling and took several trips to the Azores Island of Terceira, from which Isabel migrated to the United States. Gene was a Director of the I.S.T.W. organization in Watsonville.

He is survived by his wife Isabel; children John Matthew Rocha, Michelle Rocha and Sarah Rocha; and brother Gary Rocha.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Ave Maria Memorial Chapel. Mass will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 12:00 PM at Valley Catholic Church with the burial to follow at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.

Donations to Agricultural History Project in Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.