Stuart Rochester

Born Stuart James Rochester in 1957 and went by the name of Jimmy for most of his youth. He grew up in Warren Michigan just as the city was growing and expanding. He always commented how lucky he was to live in a city where everything was built new. He loved people, adventures, and he was always looking to work and make his own money.

Stuart was no ordinary guy. From a young age he always showed his outgoing and entrepreneurial spirit with paper routes, hanging TV antennas, and even work at the age of 14 for the local party store. For a time he also built bicycles from scrap parts and resold them to kids in the neighborhood. After high school, Stu joined the army and served during the Cuban Refugee crisis. After leaving the military, he got his private pilot’s license and bought a small plane just for fun. He started up an auto collision, repair & painting business then branched out to start up the same in Long Beach California. In mid-life, Stu returned to Michigan and relocated to Northern Michigan to be close to his father and help out where he could. He earned his builder’s license and began building homes in northern Michigan. After a major health set back in his early 50s, Stu reduced his work to additions, decks, flooring, and later as management for a building company where he traveled to many states supervising the building and remodeling for Microtel and Dollar General. Stu remained in northern Michigan and lived out his life in retirement in Wolverine near his family.

In life, he was well-traveled, outgoing, social and had a great sense of humor always making friends where ever he went. A generous and positive man. He has loved and nurtured many furry friends along the way always having dogs until he could no longer care for their needs. But he always dreamed of having just one more. He loved his son and took him and his brothers fishing & hunting in the northern woods whenever time allowed. He hunted with his father’s band of friends ever since he could hold a rifle. Those hunting days were some of his best memories. In his healthier years, he was always quick to step up and help others in need. He would tell you his father was his very best friend all his life and the loss of his father left him carrying grief he rarely shared.

Stuart is survived by his only child William Rochester (Emily) and his grandchildren, Grant Rochester, Warner Rochester, Eden Rochester, and Ellis Rochester of Spar Michigan. Stu is also survived by six siblings: Robert Rochester, Michael Rochester, Glen Rochester, Donna Rochester, Margaret Rochester, and Kimberly. Stu also leaves 10 nieces and nephews and 12 great nieces and nephews along with several good friends. He held his nephew Torrey Rochester close like a son. Stu was predeceased by his parents Robert (Rocky) and Virginia Rochester, nephew’s Brian Rochester and Terrance Palmer, and great niece Frankie Elsner.

A memorial service will be held graveside with military honors where Stuart will rest next to his mother, father and two nephews in Silver Lake Cemetery, Wolverine Michigan.