Obituary of James Louis DeRocco

James Louis "Jim" De Rocco, 91, of Vero Beach, FL died on December 6, 2008 in Fort Pierce, FL. He was born on April 9, 1917 in Gloversville, N.Y., the son the late Luigi and Concetta Piazza DeRocco. Jim was educated in Gloversville and graduated from Gloversville High School in 1935, an honor student and a star member of the Gloversville High School Track Team, named the Red and White Captain in 1935. During World War II, Jim enlisted in the US Army and achieved the rank of technical sergeant. He was stationed on Attu, one of the Aleutian Islands, of Alaska, from August 1942 to August 1945. He was awarded a Certificate of Commendable Service and was honorably discharged on December 4, 1945. His decorations and citations included an Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and a WWII Victory Medal. Jim re-enlisted and also served his country during the Korean conflict. He was Commander of the Catholic War Veterans Gloversville, Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Post 642, from 1951 to 1953. Jim married Margaret Ottati, who was born and continues to reside in Amsterdam, on June 8, 1947. The couple had and raised three children: Mary Constance, Louis James and Concetta Ann. In 1948, Jim began his career with the Sears Roebuck and Company in Gloversville and became Display and Advertising Manager. The company promoted him in 1955 to Merchandise Field Man for the New England States. He moved his family to New Haven Connecticut. In 1960, he was promoted to the position of Store Manager in Manchester CT. There, he oversaw the building of a new home and a new store. He achieved great success as a businessman and was recognized for his many contributions through the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. In 1983, Jim retired and later moved to Vero Beach with his second wife, Mary E. DeRocco. With a life long commitment to self-improvement, Jim enjoyed many hobbies including, American history, communication, woodworking, pen and ink drawing, and calligraphy. He was recognized as a self-taught artist. He especially loved to maintain contact with return to visit his traditional and extended Sicilian/American family in Gloversville. He was predeceased by his seven siblings, which include: Mary Lomanto, Joe DeRocco, Mamie Angelo, Angelo DeRocco, Jane Whipple, Samuel DeRocco and Roy DeRocco He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mary E. DeRocco; his son, Louis James Paulette DeRocco of Manchester, CT, his two grandchildren, Kristin DelMastero of Manchester CT and Ronnie DeRocco of Marlboro, CT and three great-grandchildren, Arianna, Evan and Carley; his daughter, Concetta Connie DeRocco Goochee of Doylestown, PA and three grandchildren, David who attends Cornell University, Lisa who attends Penn State and Gail who is in high school; Mary C. DeRocco and her partner Dr. Francesca La Vecchia of Provincetown and Boston MA, as well as his numerous, cousins, nieces and nephews. Per his request, Jim was cremated and will be interned with members of his family of origin in Gloversville. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 149 S. Main St., Gloversville, NY. Expressions of sympathy, in the form of donations can be made in his memory, to the Catholic War Veterans, in care of Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, NY 12078.