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Rocco Gedaro Obituary
SOUTH PORTLAND -- Decorated World War II hero, Staff Sargent, Rocco N. Gedaro, 87, of Boothby Avenue died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011 at Maine Medical Center with his loving family by his side.
Rocky was born in Portland on Feb. 9, 1924 the son of Antonio and Marie Intrieri Gedaro. He attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School. After high school, Rocky entered the United States Army on Nov. 1, 1943, at Camp Croft, S.C. In April of 1944 he arrived in Plymouth, England to train for the Normandy Invasion. On June 8, 1944 he landed in Normandy, France, two days after the Normandy Invasion, as one of the first replacements for the 90th Infantry Division, Company C '357' Regiment. Rocky fought every battle from June 8, 1944 to Jan. 13, 1945 until a severe case of frost bite caused him to be hospitalized in England for three months, after which he was assigned to a non-combat engineering outfit in Southern France. When the war ended in Europe in September of 1945, Rocky was on a ship headed back to the United States. He fought in battle Campaigns that included Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Battle of the Bulge. For his brave service, he was awarded the military's Bronze Star Medal, fourth-highest honor for bravery, heroism or meritorious service in defense of his nation.
After returning from his combat action, Rocky met and married Betty Jane Irvine at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church of Portland. He went to work for the United States Post Office, retiring after more than thirty years of employment. He had a side business, Rocks T.V. Repair, that he ran for many years. Rocky's children often commented that he could fix anything. Rocco and Betty Jane enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Little Sebago Lake, which included a huge stone fireplace made of rocks that he and his children gathered in the family station wagon.
He loved puttering around and was always working on a project or fixing something at the family home or camp. Rocky was an avid New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox's Fan and loved going to the races at harness tracks. There are also many fond memories of the yearly Easter egg hunt which Rocky would host.
Rocky believed in helping others and spent time volunteering
Rocco N. Gedaro
at the Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Relay for Life, Coats for Kids campaign, and the Italian Heritage Club. At Christmas time, Rocky was well known for giving cash from his own pocket to under privileged children.
Rocky was a member of the South Portland VFW Post #832;
the Harold T. Andrews American Legion Post No 17 of Portland; Portland Elks Lodge and the Italian Heritage Center in Portland.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Maine Medical Center's staff for their respect and care of our dad.
Rocky was predeceased by his wife Betty Jane Irvine on May 22, 1992, five brothers Frank, Louie, Joseph, Andrew and James Gedaro. He is survived by four daughters, Joanne A. Kennedy of South Portland, Kay and her husband David Mallory of South Portland, Mary Lou Mundy of Gorham, Theresa R. and her husband Jim Fox of Cape Elizabeth, one son Anthony J. Gedaro and his companion Patricia Keaney of South Portland. Rocky also is survived by his longtime loving companion, Frances Smith and her family of Scarborough. Survivors also include Rocky's sister-in-law, Mary Gedaro, plus several nieces and nephews. Rocky was proud 'Grampy' to grandchildren Daniel Kennedy and his wife, Stephanie, Jody Devero and fiance' Cathy Mitchell, Nicole and Joel Mundy and Melissa Mallory. He also enjoyed his three grand-dogs and a grand-cat.
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours to be held on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland, Maine. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com.
Those who wish may make
contributions in Rocco's memory to the charity of one's Choice
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rocco Gedaro
Wilma Shaw
October 17, 2011
Although Mr. Gedaro was unkown to me, I had tears in my eyes when I read how he did not get his stripes until much later in his life. I remember the horrors of WWII and those terrible battles in Europe. I have utmost respect for our military serving in that era. May he rest in peace and thank you Mr. Gedaro.
Ralph/Jeannie Ashmore
October 1, 2011
Theresa and Jim,
Please accept our most sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad. Jim's sister Patty, bumped into Ralph on the island on Sat. Oct. 1st. Had we known sooner, we would have been there for you.
Although we didn't know Rocky, he was of the Greatest Generation, who fought in WW II. That says it all. They will never be forgotten.
We love you and will keep you in our prayers.
Jeannie and Ralph
Joette Dougherty
October 1, 2011
Joanne, I'am so sorry for your loss. Hope you find comfort in all the happy memories. Take Care
Joette Dougherty ( Talbots)
September 27, 2011
Dear Tony and Family, I am sorry to hear about your Dad. With many thoughts and deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time. You are in my thoughts. Tricia Kenney-Hopkins
Theresa Stevens, RN
September 26, 2011
To Frances & Rocco's family,
I was so sad to hear about Rocco's passing . I have had the pleasure of getting to know Rocco over the past several years when he would see me at the VA clinic. He truly was one of my favorite veterans. He was a delight to visit with and I always loved to hear his stories. He truly was an extraordinary veteran and I feel honored to have been able to get to know him. I will miss our visits SGT. Gedaro...thank you for your service to our country & sharing your WWII stories...
~
Ralph Story
September 26, 2011
To The Gedaro Family,
I am saddened to hear that Rocky has passed. He was such a nice man. I had the pleasure of sitting with him in his garage just a few weeks ago while walking through the old neighborhood with my daughter. We reminisced about the Easter egg hunts and the good old days growing up on Boothby Ave. He shared some of his stories from WWII that I never knew. My daughter had just done a high school report on the war and Rocky had her enthralled with his real life war experience. I am so glad I had the chance to visit with him one more time. The Story kids pass on our deepest sympathies to you.
Mary Anne Weeman
September 25, 2011
Tony, So sorry to read about your Dad's passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time in your life
Maureen Coyne/Mehlhorn
September 24, 2011
To the Gedaro Family
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. What great memories I have from our old neighborhood. Every Easter I think of that spectacular Easter Egg Hunt your family put on, it inspired me to have an Egg Hunt for my four boys and all the cousins when they were growing up.
September 24, 2011
Uncle Rocky you gave us so many happy and joyus memories throughout our years of growing up may you rest in peace and now you are with your brothers you will be sadly missed God Bless and give our parents and our sister Loretta a big hug. Lots of Love your Niece Patty and Family
Albert (Sonny) & Alta Aceto
September 24, 2011
We are so sorry to hear about Rocco. My husband and I had such great times with he and Frances, when we worked on the wheel at St. Rocco's Bazaar at St. Peter's Church. Our sincere sympathy, Albert (Sonny) & Alta (Minervino) Aceto.
September 24, 2011
To the Family of Rocky,
We have many fond memories of Rocky and his family on Little Sebago Lake years ago. Every fall we mention the fact that Rocky always brought the first apples to my mother (Marion). Our kids (Becky and Melinda) still talk about their summers with the Gedaro kids.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob and Paula Smithson
Robert & Jeanne Stevens
September 24, 2011
Tony and Patty,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Mark Reilly
September 24, 2011
I was very sad to hear of Rocco passing. I always enjoyed the part of the day when I would deliver mail to him as he sat in his garage "enjoying his retirement". I would often take a seat to talk for a few minutes to see how he was doing. He will be truly missed.
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