Victor Louis Roccapriore

MERIDEN - Victor Louis Roccapriore, 85, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, after a brief illness.

He was born Oct. 18, 1930, in Meriden, son of the late Vitaliano Roccapriore and Josephine Amato Roccapriore. He had lived in Florida for 43 years. He was the beloved husband of the late MaryAnn Czerwonka Roccapriore for 55 years. Devoted father of Philip (Nancy) and Laura, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Paul (Terry,) of Groveland, Mass. and Gary (Duane,) of Albuquerque, N.M.

He is survived by his siblings, Frank (the late Jennie,) of Meriden, Joseph (Ginger,) of Virginia, Gerard and Dr. Richard (Gladys,) of Meriden, Vito, of Hamden; one sister, Sister Marie, of St. Thomas Convent, Southington; also nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy, Victor worked within the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and after retiring from there, he taught at Hilda Tucker Insurance School for 10 years. He was active basketball player for 35 years and was involved in the Senior Basketball Olympics, playing with members half his age until seven months ago. He shared his love for piano and music by volunteering to perform at various nursing homes for 30 years. In his earlier years, he joined his brothers in the Jolly Rocks Barbershop Quartet. Victor touched many lives and was a friend to all who knew him.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2015, in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and entombment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

A Memorial Mass will be held in St. Thomas Church, 99 Bristol St., Southington, on Saturday, April 9, at 11 a.m.