Leaving a

David ’84 and Veronica Roche have been supporters of De La Salle for more than three decades, well before their son, Shane ’21 attended the school. The Roche family has continued their generosity to De La Salle with the inclusion of a legacy provision for De La Salle in their Living Trust.

When David reflects back on his time at De La Salle, he recalls that the school prepared him for college in many ways. Academically, he recalls sitting in one of his college courses and realized, “I have already done that at De La Salle.” It gave him comfort knowing that the school prepared him well. “Maybe it took a bit longer to realize, but the impact that the faculty had on me lives on.” That impact happened in many ways; “something as simple as learning how to construct an effective essay,” as English teacher Jack O’Leary taught him so many years ago, has stayed with him forever.

As De La Salle enters its 57th year in existence, the school now has more than 225 alumni who have had a son (or multiple sons) attend the school. The word “Legacy” is used many ways here on campus. The legacy the faculty and staff have laid, but also the legacy that now runs through many of the De La Salle families.

Now a Principal at Apex Securities & Asset Management in Brentwood, Calif., David continues to stay involved at De La Salle, attending sporting events or participating in the Brother Maris Golf Tournament. His connection became even deeper when his son Shane attended the school. It was important for David and Veronica that Shane attend De La Salle because of the quality education, as well as knowing firsthand how the school would prepare him for life after high school, both in and out of the classroom. One of his fondest memories with Shane came from the Father/Son Retreat experience. It was a very personal and maturing experience for both. “It got us out of our comfort zones” as they had many meaningful conversations as father and son. “It allowed us to become even closer.” Shane now attends Saint Mary’s College, where his Christian Brothers education continues.

As David reflects back on his son’s experience at De La Salle, he says he “knew that Shane was happy, simply because he wanted to be at school, and always wanted to be there early.” It might seem simple, but it showed David how much Shane enjoyed his four years on campus.

“When you realize that you have been blessed, you want to be able to do all you can to afford others the opportunities that you had,” states David. “I still had a connection to the school, it shouldn’t be when you leave, you leave.” David recalls George Sabbagha, former Dean of Students, helping the students whenever he could with equipment, money for a meal, whatever was needed. “He was always there to help, which stays true to the mission of the Christian Brothers.”

For the Roche family, this legacy is even more meaningful, as David not only saw his son graduate two years ago, but he also has in place a legacy that he will leave with the school through his Living Trust. David states, “it doesn’t have to be a massive number, I would tell my Spartan friends, do what you are comfortable doing; what you are able to do. By including De La Salle in our Living Trust, it was a simple process, and one that I hope will make an impact for years to come. We all have an estate, whether it is big or small. Working with a trusted advisor benefits you and your family, with the added impact of supporting future generations of Spartans.”

Estate planning helps ensure that your wishes are carried out and that your family is cared for. It’s an essential and necessary part of your end-of-life plan. Once you have taken care of your needs and your family, there is an opportunity to make an impact and change the lives of Spartans for years and years to come through a gift in your will or trust. It is simple to include a planned gift to De La Salle in your will or trust documents: “I give and bequeath _________________ (amount/percent) of my estate to De La Salle High School, a corporation organized and existing under the California Nonprofit Corporation Law, headquartered at 1130 Winton Drive, Concord, CA 94518.” To learn more about how you can Leave Your Legacy at De La Salle through a gift in your estate, will, or trust, contact Mark Chiarcucci at (925) 288-8106 or chiaruccim@dlshs.org.