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Dave Roe Took His Final Bow
On May 12, 2025, Dave Roe danced off this earthly stage surrounded by love, humor, and his family and friends.
Dave spent a mischievous childhood in New Jersey where he was a champion wrestler in high school and attended University of New Hampshire. At age 20 he headed west with his brothers, Richard and Gary. He eventually landed in Santa Cruz, where he started a family with his first wife, Dee, and a landscaping business. Together they raised two amazing daughters, Megan and Amber — both of whom inherited his fierce independence, creativity, and zeal for projects. Dave joined the Chipachagons men’s team in the early 1990s, with whom he shared lifelong relationships.
Later, Dave’s life took an unexpected plot twist when he met Jill Landis, his friend, wife, Burning Man companion, fellow RV restorer, Bollywood partner, and eventually his caregiver.
In 2008, Dave fell head over heels for Bollywood dance and made lifelong friends in Gurus of Dance. He performed 21 consecutive shows. Dave didn’t just dance — he was a documentarian, prop builder, unofficial crew member, and guy who always had duct tape “just in case”.
When he could no longer dance, he made videos, and wrote a book about his life. His last years were filled with love, laughter, and a steady stream of visitors who came to help wrangle his failing body or just came to enjoy his wit. His caregiver Nathan, and the team from Hospice of Santa Cruz deserve a standing ovation.
His final act was to give the boot to Multiple System Atrophy. Dave leaves behind his wife Jill, daughters Amber and Megan, brothers Richard and Gary, and a Bollywood-sized cast of friends, dancers, coworkers, and fans.
A Celebration of Dave’s Colorful Life will be held on Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. at Benito & Azzaro Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. in Santa Cruz. There will be stories. There will be laughter. There may be sequins.
In lieu of flowers (Dave preferred action over arrangement), please consider a donation to:
Sri Ram Ashram https://sriramashram.org/donate/ — because Dave believed all kids deserve a loving home
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We Entrusted Dave Roe's Care To
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel
At Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, we have provided customizable memorial services for many years for families in the greater Santa Cruz, California, area. Every year, more and more families choose Benito & Azzaro when they experience the loss of a loved one. We are dedicated to celebrating life by crafting farewell ceremonies that capture the very essence of the individual. Our approach includes offering clear information about all available options, allowing ample time for decision-making without pressure, and maintaining flexibility to accommodate family wishes, from including the family pet to selecting a unique location. At Benito & Azzaro we believe that your spiritual path is your personal choice. Our services also include worry-free cremations and 24-7 access to assistance....
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