DR. JOSE MARIA ROCAMORA

1937 - 2017

Dr. Jose Maria Rocamora, 80, of Imperial passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 of Cancer. He was born April 26, 1937 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and later married Barbara Rocamora on February 3, 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Rocamora graduated from Buenos Aires Medical School in 1962. He then came to the United States where he took part in the Rotating Internship in Worchester City Hospital, Worchester, Massachusetts. He completed two years as a Resident in Internal Medicine one of which as Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Rocamora then became the Cardiology Trainee at St. Rafael's Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1967, he moved onto as a Memorial Research Fellow with the New Haven Heart Association Department of Cardiology, Yale New Haven Hospital: Yale University School of Medicine. In 1970, Dr. Rocamora was asked to take a position as a Research Fellow at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation: Cardio-Pulmonary Division in La Jolla, California. It was in 1974, after making periodic medical visits to the Imperial Valley that Dr. Rocamora decided to move his family to the Imperial Valley and establish a medical practice to serve the many in need of a cardiologist and internist. Dr. Donald Ehman graciously welcomed "Rocky" into his OB/GYN office where he began his practice. This practice included offices in Calexico, El Centro, and Brawley. In May 1990, Dr. Rocamora opened an office in Holtville with the assistance of Efrain Guerrero, Nurse Practitioner. This office closed in 2014, and Efrain relocated to the current El Centro office. While building his career and family, he was also instrumental in establishing intensive care units in Calexico Hospital, El Centro Regional Medical Center and Pioneer Memorial Hospital. He also assisted in bringing about the first ambulance service to the Imperial Valley. More recently, he worked diligently with Linda Marrs, RN, owner of Hospice of Imperial Valley, to introduce hospice care to the Imperial Valley, a much needed service. He served as Medical Director at Hospice of Imperial Valley until his death. Dr. Rocamora was a member of the American College of Cardiology, Imperial Valley Medical Society, Association of Hospice Physicians and National Hospice Organization. His licenses included both a Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine and a Diplomate American Board of Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. Rocamora was published seventeen times over the years and served many positions which included, but are not limited to Governing Body Member HAS: Imperial County and San Diego, Director of Cardiology, Director of Intensive Care, Board Member-Imperial Valley College Fund, Chief of Staff, Chief of Department of Medicine, Utilization Review and Discharge Planning Chairman, Chairman I O P Council, Executive Committee IPA, Medical Director Home Health, Chairman of Licensing /Credentialing at Pioneers Memorial Hospital, and Medical Director at Imperial Heights and Valley Convalescent Hospitals. After forty-three years, we say thank you and good-bye to a much loved and respected physician, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Doctor Rocamora leaves a legacy of great medicine, love, honor and pride in everyone he ever met. He loved is family, the Imperial Valley, and he loved medicine! In the words of his family, friends, colleagues, and patients, "Dr. Rocamora. "Rocky". had a heart of gold, and his one fault was that he could not say "no." Dr. Jose Maria Rocamora thank you and may you Rest in Peace. Rosary will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church 795 S. La Brucherie Rd, El Centro, CA 92243. Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 7 to 9 p.m. at Jimmie Cannon Theatre at Southwest High School 2001 Ocotillo Drive, El Centro, CA 92243 and will be officiated by Family and Friends. Burial will be private. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Maria and Maria Elena "Porota" Rocamora. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Rocamora of Imperial, California, children, in-laws and grandchildren: daughter, Viviana Mabel Helmer of Escondido, California, son-in-law, Douglas Edward Helmer, grandson, Douglas Francis Helmer, granddaughter, Julia Marie Helmer; daughter, Giselle Rocamora Macalpin of Calexico, California, grandson, Gerardo Macalpin II, son, Martin Douglas Rocamora of San Diego, California, daughter-in-law, Gabriela Rocamora, granddaughters, Dallana Gomez, Melissa Gomez, Kayla Gomez, grandsons, Martin Gabriel Rocamora, Jose Carlos Rocamora, step-son, Matt Malcomb of Brawley, California, grandson, Graedy Malcomb, granddaughter, Kellsie Malcomb, stepson, Josh Malcomb or Brawley, California, daughter-in-law, Sarah Malcomb, granddaughter, Emma Malcomb, grandson, Reid Malcomb, stepson, Jeff Malcomb of El Centro, California, daughter-in-law, Tara Malcomb, sister, Maria Elena "Beba" Daeli of Buenos Aires, Argentina, nephews, Alex Daeli and Marcelo Daeli. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association Imperial Valley Chapter would be greatly appreciated.