Sabas R. Rocha

Sabas R. Rocha, 92, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at his home for the past 26 years in Whittier, California surrounded by loving family members.
Mr. Rocha was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. Sabas lived a good life. He married the love of his life "Leonarda H. Rocha" at the age of 17. They spent 50 beautiful years of marriage together. He was a devoted family man who brought in this world and raised 5 children, Elida, Martina, Dora, Rodolfo, and Jorge. He was a hardworking man, a man of many talents. In his early years, Sabas worked as a waiter and was an amazing cook at Texas Cafe in the old Market Square of Brownsville, Texas where he was famously known for his pineapple empanadas. Later in life he worked for Brownsville P.U.B. alongside his brothers. He then went on to open his business as a bar owner on the corner of 11th and Adams in the same downtown Brownsville area next to Market Square. However, one of his biggest accomplishments was to pursue his passion of photography going on to open his own studio "Rocha Photography Studio" on 14th and Monroe in downtown Brownsville, Texas where he created some of his most amazing work. He and Leonarda then moved to California for 13 years where he worked in a carpet factory, and returned to live in Brownsville for another 13 years after an injury. After the love of his life "Leonarda" passed away in 1991, Sabas returned to live in California to enjoy his retirement. Sabas lived for 18 years on his own in Fullerton, California to be closer with other family members. Sabas was very independent and self-sufficient. It was only the last eight years of his life, with the encouragement of his family, to move in with his daughter Martina. Sabas will be missed dearly by everyone dearly but through his family, his legacy will remain for many lifetimes. His legacy spans five generations.
Sabas was preceded in death by his wife Leonarda H. Rocha; his son, Dr. Rodolfo Rocha, infant children, Delia Rocha and twins Elvia and Pablo Rocha; three brothers, Bernardo Rocha, Jose Guadalupe Rocha and Pedro Rocha; and a sister, Adela Cross.
Sabas is survived by four children, Elida (Rafael) Pardo, Martina (Frankie) Rivera, Dora (Carlos+) Torres, and Jorge (Ruth) Rocha. Fifteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and seven great-great grandchildren. One brother, Pablo Rocha. Many nieces and nephews, and other extended family members.
Vistation will be held Monday, February 27, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the East Chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1200 Lincoln St., Brownsville, Texas. Committal services will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.
His grandchildren and his great-grandchildren will be honored to serve as Mr. Rocha's pallbearers.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Darling-Mouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Blvd., Brownsville, Texas 78520 and 956-546-7111.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home - East Chapel
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, February 27, 2017
10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Holy Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home - East Chapel
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, February 27, 2017
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
1200 Lincoln
Brownsville, TX  78521
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
10:30 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521