From the family:
Jesse Hoch
Jesse (Jay) Hoch passed away June 7 with his family by his side. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Judy, sister Hazel (Schneider), daughters Julie Ann (Raum), Jeanine (Reddicks), Jessell (Miller), son Justin, and 7 adoring grandchildren.
He was born in Independence, MO in 1945. An adventurous soul, he joined the Navy at a young age and served 20 years stationed at various ports on the west coast. He met Judy at a roller rink in 1965, and they were married 2 years later. After retiring from the Navy, they moved from San Diego to Reno in 1982 to be closer to family. He started at the power company (now NV Energy) as a utilityman. He worked hard to advance his career, earning his Associates degree in Electrical science in 1987. After 20 years, he again retired to pursue his many interests.
From the union:
“Jay was a tireless activist during the Shame on NV Energy campaign – a two-year effort to recover retiree medical benefits after the corporation unilaterally and arbitrarily cut the promised benefits in 2009 in a blow to retirees,” recalls IBEW 1245 staffer Eileen Purcell.
“Jay was a strong union member when he was working. And a very strong supporter of the retirees,” said IBEW 1245 retiree Rita Weisshaar. “And he joined the fight. You could always count on Jay. Always there with a smile. One time we took a bus of 50 people down to picket down at Sierra Pacific (NV Energy) headquarters. We gathered in front of their building in Las Vegas, and we had easily 300 people. Culinary Workers, Carpenters, Electricians from IBEW locals 597, 396, religious speakers picketed in front of NV Energy. And we had a petition with close to 5,000 signatures {demanding NV Energy} give the retirees what they were promised.”