It was a hotel fire that sparked Battalion Chief Thomas Roche’s interest in the fire service. He was a boy of 11 in Boston when the Hotel Vendome caught fire and the building collapsed, killing nine firefighters on Father’s Day in June 1972. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Roche made a life-changing decision. The rest, as they say, is history. Roche retires this year after a successful and rewarding 31-year career with Anaheim Fire & Rescue, following in the footsteps of his uncle, a firefighter in Boston. “Best choice I ever made,” Roche said. He still has the flier…