Thomas Rocco

ROCCO Thomas Charles, 79, of Fair Lawn, NJ passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Born at home in Hasbrouck Heights, he graduated from Hasbrouck Heights High School as a three letter man and resided in Hasbrouck Heights until proudly serving with the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1953. An involved member of his community, he organized the first Boy Scout Troop for handicapped students in Fair Lawn and was a lifetime member of the Cosmos Club of Fair Lawn. Tom, along with his parents, Charles and Elizabeth (Mariconda) founded St. Gabriel R.C. Church in Saddle River where he married his loving wife, Dorothy (Czarnogursky) Rocco in 1955. Mr. Rocco was a faithful parishioner of St. Anne R.C. Church in Fair Lawn. Tom and his father Charles operated Reliable Homes in Fair Lawn and then T & C Land Development Co. of Saddle River, building homes throughout Bergen County. He was also employed with the Borough of Fair Lawn Department of Parks and Recreation. After retiring, he worked with his children in the real estate industry. Beloved husband of Dorothy (Czarnogursky) Rocco. Loving and devoted father of Charles John Rocco, Elisabeth "Lisa" Lynn Ackerman and husband Richard and Maria Claire Cicchella and husband Louis. Cherished grandfather of Joseph S., Laura Rose and Nicholas J. Cicchella and Jake W. Ackerman who were the light of his life and he enjoyed doting on. Dear brother-in-law and best friend of Clifford D. Czarnogursky. He is also survived by many loving cousins and beloved nieces and nephews. Tom will be greatly missed. A funeral mass is planned for Thursday, June 16, 2011, 10:30 AM at St. Anne R.C. Church, 15-05 St. Anne Street, Fair Lawn, NJ. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus. The family will receive relatives and friends Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Vander Plaat Colonial Home, Inc., 13-31 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ, 201-797-3500. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Thomas may be made to the The Arc of Bergen and Passaic Counties, 223 Moore Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601. For additional information, please visit www.vpfairlawn.com.