Decorated WW II Vet and Chess Organizer

RINDGE - Rocco R. Pasquale, War Hero, Chess Organizer and adored father passed away at the age of 92 on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, while receiving loving care at the New Hampshire Veteran's Home in Tilton. He was born on Jan. 30, 1922, in Fitchburg, Mass.

Rocco was married for over 56 years to the late Joan (Burt) Pasquale, who passed away at the age of 78, in May of 2007, in Beverly Hills, Fla. Rocco and Joan raised their three children in Rindge. In their retirement years they lived in Beverly Hills, Fla.

Rocco was born the son of Italian immigrants, Filomena (Minicucci) and Berardino "William" Pasquale, who hailed from the region of Abruzzo, Italy. Rocco was raised in Fitchburg, Mass., among his six siblings.

He enlisted in the Army on Oct. 2, 1942 and separated from the Army with an Honorable Discharge on Nov. 7, 1945. He served in the storied First Infantry ("The Big Red One") Division as a Radio Operator. Military operations included North Africa, Sicily, England, France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Germany. Rocco participated in the "D-Day Invasion", landing as the third wave on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France on June 5, 1944. It was in France where he earned a Bronze Star.

After the war, Rocco met his wife Joan at a dance in Jaffrey, and was married soon thereafter. They settled in Rindge, where Rocco worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a Special Delivery Driver covering both Fitchburg and Leominster, Mass., until his retirement at the age of 55.

Rocco had many varied interests, including organizing and serving as President of the Wachusett Chess Club, Fitchburg, Mass. in Feb. of 1960. The highlight of Rocco's chess career was playing the future World Champion of Chess, Bobby Fischer, in March 1964. In Oct. of 1972 Rocco who was then a well-known chess organizer formed a brand new chess club at the Keene YMCA known as the Monadnock Chess Club and served as President until he retired in 1977.

Rocco also loved ballroom dancing, he wrote a play, music lyrics and poetry as well as served as a correspondent for several newspapers covering his beloved chess clubs. Rocco also enjoyed going to drive-ins and those who know him may recall his invention of window screens for his little VW. Additionally, he loved horse and dog races, Boston College Football Games, bingo and card games.

Rocco is well remembered by his children, nieces and nephews, family and friends who were his guests during the annual family vacations at Hampton Beach, N.H.

In addition to his wife, Rocco was also preceded in death by his sisters Rose (Perry), Elsie (Sherrin), Lena (Boulay), and his brother Anthony.

Rocco loved life and his family; daughter Pam and her spouse, Wayne Koski of Jaffrey, and their son, Eric Koski and his wife, Kim and son, Corey; daughter, Deborah Proterra of New Canann, Conn. and her children, David and Tracy (Olmstead) and her spouse, Reid and daughter, Fiona; son, Jan Pasquale and his spouse, Karen of South Salem, N.Y. and their children, Michael and Elyse; brothers, William and Raymond and many nieces and nephews.

A private military graveside service was held at The Hillside Cemetery in Rindge on Oct. 30, 2014. A memorial service will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to the New Hampshire Veteran's Home specifying the donation for the Resident Activity Fund, 139 Winter Street, Tilton, N.H. 03276 and/or the Monadnock Adult Care Center, 22 North Street, Jaffrey, N.H. 03452.

For a more detailed obituary, and to share memories or condolences with Rocco's family, please visit www.cournoyerfh.com.