The remains of mother and child — a boy who was to be named Connor — washed ashore in San Francisco Bay nearly four months later. Dennis Rocha dies; Laci Peterson’s father. Dennis Rocha dies; Laci Peterson’s father. Dennis Rocha obituary. Dionicio "Dennis"'s Obituary Dionicio (Dennis) Rocha, Jr., resident of Floresville, Texas, entered eternal rest Friday, November 13, 2009, at 7:18 P.M. during surgery at Texsan Heart Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 62 years, 8 months, 19 days. “(Scott) would keep the car if he knew she was coming home,” Dennis Rocha told the … Rocha assumed a lower profile during Scott Peterson’s blockbuster trial, which was moved to Redwood City to escape pervasive publicity in Modesto. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Rocha, sister Sharon Rocha and daughter Laci Rocha Peterson. He operated a dairy for several decades and was also a member of the US Marine Corps Reserves, said his oldest child, Brent Rocha, in a telephone interview Monday. “Laci loved her dad, and now they will be together again,” said her mother, Sharon Rocha, in an email Monday. Observers of the Peterson case may recall that Laci’s family was appalled when Scott traded in his missing wife’s 1996 forest-green Land Rover as part of a purchase of a used pickup six weeks after she disappeared. Laci Peterson’s father, Dennis Rocha, died Sunday at age 72. Dennis Rocha bought it from Roberts Auto Sales on Modesto’s McHenry Avenue for $1 only days later. A memorial service is set for Friday. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Rocha, sister Sharon Rocha and daughter Laci Rocha Peterson. He cried when graphic photos of the remains were displayed for jurors, and drew a warning from the judge when using salty language toward the defendant in the penalty phase, just before Scott Peterson was sentenced to death. Dennis Rocha passed away in Escalon, California. “He was a good dad and a hard worker,” his daughter Amy Woodard — Laci’s half-sister — said Monday. By. Dennis Rocha 72, of Escalon, CA passed away December 9, 2018. Dennis Rocha had remained on good terms with the couple and privately praised Grantski at his graveside service in April. Dennis Rocha 72, of Escalon, CA passed away December 9, 2018. Laci Peterson’s father, Dennis Rocha, died Sunday at age 72. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Laci Peterson’s father, Dennis Rocha, died Sunday at age 72. She continues to go by that name even though they divorced four decades ago, when Laci was 2. Dennis Robert Rocha September 15, 1946 - December 9, 2018 Dennis Rocha 72, of Escalon, CA passed away December 9, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Rocha… People who followed the investigation of the young California woman’s disappearance remember Rocha in an emotional state when his pregnant 27-year-old daughter went missing at Christmastime 2002, weeping and pleading for her safe return. “(Scott) would keep the car if he knew she was coming home,” Dennis Rocha told the Modesto Bee at the time. Dennis Rocha bought it from Roberts Auto Sales on Modesto’s McHenry Avenue for $1 only days later. View Original Notice ? Laci Peterson’s father, Dennis Rocha, died Sunday at age 72. Visit The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.) at www.modbee.com. Funeral Home Services for Dennis are being provided by Eaton Family Funeral & Cremation Service. Dennis was a lifelong resident of Escalon and a former dairyman. His father had a passion for rodeo events — particularly team roping and calf roping —  and participated in annual Mule Days celebrations in Bishop, Brent said. People who followed the investigation of the young California woman’s disappearance remember Rocha in an emotional state when his pregnant 27-year-old daughter went missing at Christmastime 2002, weeping and pleading for her safe return. He is survived by his children Brent and Amy and six grandchildren, as well as a sister, Robin Rocha, and stepson Nathan Hazard. Laci’s husband, Scott Peterson, was convicted of double murder in 2004. Dennis Robert Rocha had moved with his family when he was very young from Gilroy to Escalon, in California’s Central Valley, and he remained there for the rest of his life. Dennis was a lifelong resident of Escalon and a former dairyman. Laci’s “other father,” Ron Grantski — Sharon Rocha’s longtime companion — died this year at age 71. December 10, 2018 07:11 PM. Growing up, Brent and Laci lived with their mother and Grantski in Modesto and spent many weekends at their father’s ranch in Escalon.