1941
Anthony
2016
Anthony Rocci
April 8, 1941 — December 8, 2016
AUSTINTOWN - Services will be Monday at 1 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel for Anthony Joseph Rocci, affectionately known as "Rocky," who passed away Thursday peacefully but unexpectedly at home at 75 years old, after a struggle with kidney disease.
Born April 8, 1941, he had fond memories of growing up on Carroll Street in Youngstown, where he lived with his parents, the late Enrico Rocci and Rose Cackowski.
He earned the honor of Eagle Scout, graduated from South High in 1959, and attended Youngstown State University, where he studied Art. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1968, stationed on the USS Sarda and USS Piper submarines.
He met his bride, Jo-Ann Cotter at a "record hop," and they had been married for 54 years, raising their three children in the Austintown home built by his father. For the past 10 years, Rocky had enjoyed retirement from Delphi Packard Electric, where he faithfully drove from Austintown to Warren for 42 years, working in Plant 13 as an electrician.
He is best known for his famous tradition of huge live Christmas trees. He also loved Halloween and carved elaborate pumpkins. His house-sized Halloween drawings were featured in the Austintown Leader newspaper. He enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life, especially drawing caricatures of his family and friends, scuba diving, bike riding, off-roading, and most recently, his Soltice car club, where he loved driving his silver Soltice sports car.
Above all else, he loved his family. He spent many joyful hours playing cars and tools with his great-grandson, Jionni, who was his best buddy.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 54 years, "Jo," his daughter, Melissa Rocci (Carl Bauer); son Anthony T. Rocci; and daughter Kelly Bucci (Dan Bucci); grandchildren Kayley, Selena, Ava, Benjamin, Alyvia; and great-grandson Jionni.
A huge J.R.R. Tolkien fan, he knew "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" like the back of his hand.
The following passage from the book is really meaningful to his family:
"PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad.
GANDALF: No. No, it isn't."
a�" J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Lord of the Rings"
Friends may call on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Rocky to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this obituary and send condolences.
Born April 8, 1941, he had fond memories of growing up on Carroll Street in Youngstown, where he lived with his parents, the late Enrico Rocci and Rose Cackowski.
He earned the honor of Eagle Scout, graduated from South High in 1959, and attended Youngstown State University, where he studied Art. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1968, stationed on the USS Sarda and USS Piper submarines.
He met his bride, Jo-Ann Cotter at a "record hop," and they had been married for 54 years, raising their three children in the Austintown home built by his father. For the past 10 years, Rocky had enjoyed retirement from Delphi Packard Electric, where he faithfully drove from Austintown to Warren for 42 years, working in Plant 13 as an electrician.
He is best known for his famous tradition of huge live Christmas trees. He also loved Halloween and carved elaborate pumpkins. His house-sized Halloween drawings were featured in the Austintown Leader newspaper. He enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life, especially drawing caricatures of his family and friends, scuba diving, bike riding, off-roading, and most recently, his Soltice car club, where he loved driving his silver Soltice sports car.
Above all else, he loved his family. He spent many joyful hours playing cars and tools with his great-grandson, Jionni, who was his best buddy.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 54 years, "Jo," his daughter, Melissa Rocci (Carl Bauer); son Anthony T. Rocci; and daughter Kelly Bucci (Dan Bucci); grandchildren Kayley, Selena, Ava, Benjamin, Alyvia; and great-grandson Jionni.
A huge J.R.R. Tolkien fan, he knew "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" like the back of his hand.
The following passage from the book is really meaningful to his family:
"PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad.
GANDALF: No. No, it isn't."
a�" J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Lord of the Rings"
Friends may call on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Rocky to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this obituary and send condolences.
Service
DEC 12. 01:00 PM
Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel
4303 Mahoning Avenue
Youngstown, OH, US
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Anthony Rocci, please visit our flower store.
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