Biography:

Dr. Omer Joseph Rochon was born in Ste Marthe, Quebec on the 24th of July, 1870.  Dr. Rochon was the 2nd of 11 children born to Moise Rochon and the former Celina Riopel.  His father was a stone cutter and his siblings were; Josephine Rochon (who died at the age of 23 of tuberculosis), Clara Rochon (who died in early childhood), Honore Victor Rochon, Albert Rochon, Telesphore Rochon, Henri Victor Rochon (who died at the age of 9 months), Rasene Rochon, Arthur Stanislous Rochon (who died of Croup at the age of 2  years old), Marie Rose Amie Rochon and Louis “Clement” Rochon.  His father was born in Quebec and his mother was born in Ontario.  Dr. Rochon’s family moved around between Quebec, Ontario and the United States wherever his father could obtain work.

While he was still a medical student, Dr. Rochon married Marie Clara Marguerite Perrin on the 26th of November, 1896 in Clarence, Ontario.   Mrs. Rochon was born on the 11th of March, 1873 in Clarence Creek, Ontario.  She was the eldest of 2 children born to Telesphore Perrin and the former Clara Menard.  Her father was a merchant in Clarence, Ontario.  Mrs. Rochon sister’s Marie Cecile Leontine Perrin was born 15 years after her.

Dr. Rochon graduated M.D. from the Université Laval, Quebec in 1902.

Dr. and Mrs. Rochon had 3 children; Rénè Omer Rochon was born in Montreal Quebec on the 25th of January, 1898, Gérard Normand Rochon was born in Ottawa on the 12th of October, 1899 and Francois “Pauline” Celina Rochon was born in Ottawa on the 2nd of October 1906.  According to the 1911 census, Dr. and Mrs. Rochon and their children were living in Lac Au Salmon, Quebec.

According to the 1921 census, Dr. Rochon was living in Tilbury with his wife Clara, and their son Gérard, who listed his occupation as a druggist.  Also living with Dr. and Mrs. Rochon were her parents, Telesphore and Clara Perrin.

According to the 1928 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Rochon obtained his L.M.C.C. in 1919 and joined the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 10th of December, 1919.  Further the Ontario Medical Register identifies Dr. Rochon as practicing in Tilbury.  His residence was located on Canal Street in Tilbury.  Dr. Rochon was designated as a Coroner.

Dr. Rochon’s name appears on death and birth records in Tilbury in the 1920’s, 1930’s and the 1940’s.  Dr. Rochon sat on the Tilbury Public Library Board and he was a member of the Tilbury Lions Club.  He served as President in 1939.  Dr. Rochon also belonged to the Knights of Columbus.  He operated a pharmacy in association with his medical practice.

Mrs. Rochon died at Metropolitan General Hospital in Windsor on the 8th of January, 1944.  Dr. Rochon died at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Windsor on the 21st of July, 1957.   Dr. and Mrs. Rochon were buried at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Tecumseh (Essex County), Ontario.  Their daughter Pauline (1906-1962) and their son Gérard (1899-1994) are also buried there.

*Dr. Rochon’s son Rénè Omer Rochon served during World War I with the Canadian Military.  He survived the war and graduated from the University of Toronto School of Dentistry in 1921.  Dr. Rénè Rochon died in Detroit, Michigan on the 17th of August, 1972.  He was buried at Assumption Roman Catholic Cemetery in Windsor.