Michael Sbrocco Jr.

Michael Sbrocco Obituary

Michael U. Sbrocco, Jr.

Des Moines

Michael U. Sbrocco, Jr. age 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, surrounded by his loving family.

Michael was born April 4, 1927 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Michael and Stella (DiCorpo) Sbrocco. He was united in marriage on October 2, 1955 to Theresa Branco at St. Anthony's Church in Des Moines, Iowa and was blessed with four children who meant everything to him.

Michael attended Dowling High School and completed his education at Loras Academy in Dubuque, Iowa. He was a United States Navy Veteran having proudly served his country on the USS Maryland in the South Pacific. After WWII, he moved to Chicago to pursue his love of music. He was a gifted and accomplished jazz drummer and traveled the states playing with the big bands. In 1950, he returned to Des Moines to help his father with the family business. He owned and operated Sbrocco Fruit Company on Court Avenue for over 30 years. He continued to play drums locally as a hobby, often sitting in with local jazz artists in downtown Des Moines.

After retiring, he moved with his family to Scottsdale, Arizona. For 20 years, he enjoyed his children, grandchildren, walks with Marley (the family dog), and golf in the desert. He will lovingly be remembered for his generous heart, great sense of humor and love for life; he was truly one of a kind! To his grandchildren he was affectionately known as "Boppa" and to his children he was, and always will be, "the greatest".

Michael is survived by Theresa, his ever-loving and dedicated wife of 56 years; children, AnnaMaria (Dave) Vaughan of Clive, IA, Michele Church (Barry James) of Omaha, NE, Kathy (Mike) Walsh, of Madison, WI, and Michael Sbrocco III (Nancy), of West Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Stephanie Church, Allie and Ashley Vaughan, Natalie Walsh and Michael Sbrocco IV; sisters, Joanne Walker of Tucson, Arizona, and Victoria Greene of Minneapolis, MN; brother-in-law Frank "Cheech" Branco (Betty Lou) and many nieces and nephews. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Stella.

A memorial mass will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 25, 2011, at St. Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High Street, Des Moines, 50309. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Ambrose Cathedral.

"We love you Daddy. Your love, laughter and music will live forever in our hearts."

"A man's most lasting influence on the world is seen in the faces of his family…in the light in their eyes when they talk about him…in the love they'll hold on to forever."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines Register from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Sbrocco

6 Entries

Pina Sbrocca

November 22, 2011

Dear Theresa, and all my Des Moines cousins,
My love and prayers to you, I miss you all. I'm very sad that it was Uncle Dudley's time to go. I will always cherish the time we shared in the Valley of the Sun and will fondly remember "B I L K O" whose marching orders might go something like this:
"Walk Proudly, Talk Loudly, Forget Fish, Eat Meat, Drink Scotch, Tell Stories, Laugh a Lot, Enjoy the Music while you can, and most of all, Stay Cool Man". . . . God Bless you all, Love Pina.

November 22, 2011

Dear Theresa, and the entire Sbrocco family...Joanne and Tori...we are incredibly sorry to learn this evening of your loss...Mike was so much fun...I used to watch him play the drums at lots of places in Des Moines and enjoyed his laugh,jokes,stories and humor...he was a great guy, loving and caring for all of you and his friends..we will miss him..our prayers and love for all of you will always continue..Larry and Molly Scalise.

November 21, 2011

Dear Uncle Mike,
Although it had been several years since I was able to see you, my memories of you remain fond and wonderful. The holidays are an especially memorable time...recalling the Christmas Eve celebrations at your home, listening to Vince Guaraldi's Charlie Brown Christmas (which, by the way, gets A LOT of play time around my house as well!)
Aunt Theresa, your children and grandchildren were so blessed to have you a part of their lives for many years. May you rest in peace and know that you will always remain a special part of many lives here on earth.
Much Love,
Nicole Vaia Wood and Family

November 21, 2011

God saw you getting weary, he did what he thought best; he put his arms around you and said "come and rest". He opened up his golden gates on that heartbreaking day, and with his arms around you, you gently slipped away. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; a part of us went with you the day "god" called you home! Mike (Dudley) you were the greatest! We all will miss you! Mr. & mrs. Michael Sbrocca & family. (Troy, mi.)

Tom ("The Colonel") Hardin

November 20, 2011

Dear Theresa & Family - I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was indeed "the greatest"! His welcoming charm and humor were something special and always made those around him feel good. His stories of Kwajalein were legendary. His musical talents were amazing. Dudley will be missed, but never forgotten and always loved. I was blessed to have known him. I pray for your comfort and peace.

Michael Sbrocca

November 20, 2011

Uncle Mike we will miss you dearly. Your sense of humor, kind heart and positive attitude to any situation was a great gift you gave to all who knew you and especially to your family. May you rest in peace forever and let it be known that you truly were the " Greatest"! We loved you very much, Mike A. & Barbara Sbrocca.. Your Detroit Family

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