Jack P. LaRocca, 84, of Derby, entered into eternal rest on March 8, 2014, at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport. He was the beloved husband of Judith Nardi LaRocca.
Mr. LaRocca was born in Derby on August 21, 1929, son of the late Salvatore and Vincenza Barba LaRocca. A resident of Derby for 50 years, he was employed as president of Kobe Appliance in West Haven for thirty years, until his retirement in 1994. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, he honorably served during the Korean Conflict. Jack was a devoted communicant of Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia where he served as an usher at 9:30 am Mass and was a member of the Catholic Men’s Club. He tirelessly gave his efforts to Holy Rosary’s annual Italian Festival and worked in the famous calamari booth. He was a member of the Ansonia and Derby Senior Centers and a former member of the Sons of Italy in Derby. Jack was an avid UCONN Huskies basketball fan as well as an enthusiastic supporter of the Boston Red Sox and the New York Giants. He also took great pride is his annual vegetable garden.
In addition to his wife Judy, he is survived by three loving sons, Jack LaRocca (Rebecca Peperni) of Old Lyme, David LaRocca (Lucy) of Madison and Peter LaRocca (Judy) of Concord, MA, a sister, Josephine Coppola of Derby, six cherished grandchildren, Michael, Nicholas, Karen, Amy, Ava, and Mia LaRocca, great-grandson, Mason LaRocca and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Joseph LoRocco and Pasquale and Angelo DiCaro and sisters, Angelina Matina and Antoinette Speranzini.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday March 12, 2014, from 4 – 7 pm in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. On Thursday, his funeral will be held at 9:15 am from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Church. Interment with U.S. Army military honors will take place in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery in Derby.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rev. Carlos Garces Scholarship Fund through the funeral home.
To send an act of sympathy, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
