Victor and Beatrice DiRocco

Victor J. & Beatrice E. DiRocco

Victor J. DiRocco
5/23/1922 – 1/3/2016
Beatrice E. DiRocco
4/25/1923 – 1/9/2016

Victor J. DiRocco and Beatrice E. DiRocco, loving and committed spouses, and residents of their Los Altos home since 1957, were granted their wish to remain together to the end, passing away six days apart on January 3rd and 9th, 2016. Victor and Beatrice were both born in New York, and were acquaintances since grade-school. Married for over 68 years, Vic and Bea lived in Hartford, CT before moving the growing family to California in 1956. Vic, fluent in Italian and French, served with the U.S. Army Office of Strategic Services in London and Paris as a surgical technician during WWII. Following honorable discharge, Vic resumed college changing his major from medicine to chemistry at Manhattan College, and received his master's degree in bacteriology at St. John's University, New York. In 1950 Vic began his professional career at Heublein Inc. in production management and quality control. The family moved to Los Altos when Vic became QC Manager at the under-construction Menlo Park facility, later becoming Plant Manager and retiring for the first time at age 57 as VP. Bea handily raised their four children, insuring that annual vacations were possible by clever use of resources so as to visit many of the country's monuments, parks, and relatives in many states. Restless in retirement, Vic joined Underwriter's Laboratories as a certification inspector, until fully retiring over a decade later. Vic and Bea were also active in later years, Vic surprising many with his skills in woodcarving. He was also a member of SIRS and was dedicated to the American Legion. Bea always enjoyed gardening, and advanced her survival skills of sewing as a mother to include embroidery, also learning calligraphy (Pacific Scribes), watercolor and paper craft. After a family trip to Japan in 1981, they became enthused with travel and visited many parts of the world; twice to Italy meeting Vic's cousins and relatives. Vic and Bea were founding members of St. William's Church in Los Altos, and served as volunteers until no longer physically able. Vic was the last survivor of the four siblings, preceded in death by: Frank of Great Falls, MT, Adam of Syracuse NY, and Julia of New York, NY. Bea had one sister Caroline Weeks of Ft. Pierce FL, who predeceased her. Victor and Beatrice are survived by their four children: Donald (Huong) of Oakland, Kenneth of Cupertino, Robert of Lodi, and Joan (Gene) in Mountain View, and a grandson Thomas, of Oakland, CA. As per their request a private internment was held at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, including a U.S. Army ceremony for decorated service.