Robert Joseph Piché“Pooch”, 73, passed December 28, 2013, 8 days following a 5 way bypass surgery.

Pooch was born on November 25, 1940 in Fall River, Mass to Rita and Almanzor Piché. He attended a French speaking Catholic School. At 10, the family settled in Kirkwood, Missouri. Pooch joined the Navy, 1958, serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Thetis Bay.

March 21, 1961 he met his future wife, Ellen Rose All and they married February 10, 1962. Pooch was an avid motorcyclist, hunter and fisherman. He retired from Los Angeles County after 33 years as a steamfitter and moved to Havasu in 1993.
He joined the Masons, Norwalk and the Elks, Gardena. In Havasu he joined the Elks, Elkettes, Jolly Corks, Eagles, Moose, Shriners and the American Legion. Pooch served the Elks as a Trustee and thru the chairs to become Exalted Ruler, 2003-2004. State Elk activities included 2 years as Pastor Pooch, State Chaplin. In July 2013, he was installed as District Deputy Grand Exalter Ruler.

Bob Koeppe and Pooch began the 9/11 Memorial at London Bridge Beach. Since the beginning, Pooch was the Master of Ceremonies at the annual Memorial. He also MC’d the Havasu Follies and had a passionate acting part in “Down Memory Lane”.

Pooch is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ellie; sons, Bobby (Carrie) of La Mirada & Scott (Stacey) of Murrieta; 2 grand-children & 2 step-grand-children; brothers, Don & Al and sisters, Jeanne Grant & Ann Radley. He was preceded in death by his parents and son James.

An Elk-Elkette Lodge of Sorrow will be held Sunday, January 26 at 11:00am; PER Don Carter presiding. The family suggests memorials to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; 3877 N 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.