Andrew T. Rock

On Sept. 26, 2023 Andrew T. Rock passed away peacefully with his son by his side. Andrew was born in Superior, Wisconsin to Donald and Jessie and was raised there with his older brother, Donald, and sister, Patricia. Andrew attended The University of Wisconsin – Superior where he fostered his love for the written word and creativity.
After college, Andrew was stationed with the Air Force in San Antonio before taking graduate classes at the University of Oregon. He eventually put down roots in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he found a creative community, started his publishing company, Street Fiction Press, and fell in love with ex-wife Josie Campbell Rock.
In 1980, Andrew and Josie moved to Aquidneck Island to raise their son near her family. Here, he worked in publishing and radio production and served as a Race Committee member at Ida Lewis Yacht Club. Andrew moved to Providence in 2000, where he started his e-commerce company Lobster.com and joined the board of directors for Water Fire Providence. He had great friends all over Rhode Island with whom he loved to share ideas and discuss politics, culture and writing.
In recent years, he lived happily in Newport, where he found community at Jesus Saviour Church and Harbor House. He loved the history of the city, specifically the Redwood Library and Athenaeum and the Newport Tower Museum. He always looked forward to having dinner with his son, Taylor, especially Mission cheeseburgers and Clementine's ice cream. He also deeply enjoyed volunteering at the Norman Bird Sanctuary.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother and sister. He is survived by his son, Taylor, ex-wife, Josie, and cousins, nieces, and nephews.
There was a funeral mass at Jesus Saviour Catholic Church in Newport on Nov. 11, 2023 at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow.
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Calvary Cemetery in Superior, WI, with Fr. Andrew Ricci officiating.
Local arrangements by Downs Life Celebration Center, 1902 N 34th St., Superior, WI.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to: the Norman Bird Sanctuary at normanbirdsanctuary.org, the Hulitar Hospice Center at hopehealthco.org/hopehealth hulitar-hospice-center/ or the Redwood Library at redwoodlibrary.org.
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