Rocco Joseph Andreozzi, Jr.

91, of Cranston passed away peacefully on December 21, 2024, surrounded by his children at Rhode Island Hospital. Born on March 19, 1933 to Rocco Joseph Andreozzi and Vincenza Rampini Andreozzi, Rocco was a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, where he earned the nickname “The Mountie Ace” as the quarterback of its football team. It was at Mount Pleasant where he also met and later married his high school sweetheart, Carole Ann (Polofsky) Andreozzi, in 1953.

After graduation, Rocco proudly served in the U.S. Army before returning to Rhode Island to begin his career as a butcher at the A&P Market. A chance encounter with a neighbor introduced him to the hearing aid business, where his natural ability to engender his patients’ trust by, fittingly, listening to them, ultimately enabled him to acquire Community Hearing Aid Center. Over the years, he expanded this enterprise; one that provided jobs and careers for his children and other relatives, as well as the gift of hearing to thousands of beloved patients. He operated with honesty, integrity, and humility, always treating others as he wished to be treated. Never complaining about long hours, Rocco built his American Dream on hustle and determination, striving to provide a better future for his children than what he had. A natural leader and thoughtful listener, Rocco had a way to make everyone around him feel valued and important, a testament to his character and the love he had for those around him. Rocco's legacy of leadership, empathy, and dedication to improving lives will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Rocco and his beloved Carole built a family that was their pride and joy, passing down many traditions and traits, including Sunday family dinners, hard work, humility, a love for sports, and perhaps above all, cooking as a form of fellowship. As Rocco always said, “some eat to live…we live to eat”. To him, recipes, like love itself, were meant to be shared. His famous dishes, always featuring garlic and olive oil, filled his kitchen with comfort and joy, creating an inviting atmosphere for all who “just so happened” to stop by. These dishes are and will forever be prepared and enjoyed by too many friends and family to count. Rocco loved to say that his family was “rich in flesh,” a testament to the love, warmth, and togetherness that defined their lives. His legacy of delicious food and the joy of shared meals will continue to bring his family and friends together, keeping his spirit alive in every gathering. In every bowl of pasta, every sunset, every glass of red wine, and every Sinatra song, we will find a piece of Rocco's spirit, reminding us of the simple joys he cherished.

The very definition of a patriarch, Rocco is survived by an enormous and loving family: son, Dr. Rocco Andreozzi, III and his wife Sally; daughter Victoria Andreozzi and her husband Shahin Barzin; daughter Kimballi Startz and her partner Andrew Williams; son Dr. Mark Andreozzi and his partner Lisa Marzilli; son Michael Andreozzi and his wife Amy; and son Eric Andreozzi and his wife Alison. In addition, “Papa Pasta” cherished time with each of his grandchildren (Jessica, Sarah, Rocky, Samantha, Zahra, Alex, Victoria, Olivia, Gabriella, Brooke, Peter, Jackie, and Carter), 5 step-grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Rocco is also survived by his brother Anthony Andreozzi and his wife Lisa, companion Barbara Puerini, and other beloved family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Carole Ann; and siblings Anna Falco, John Andreozzi, Theodore Andreozzi, and Alda Damiani.

Rocco’s Mass of Catholic Burial, to which family and friends are welcome to attend, will be held on Saturday, January 4th at 10:00 AM at Holy Apostles Church, 800 Pippin Orchard Road, Cranston, followed by interment at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston. Visiting Hours are Friday, January 3rd from 4 PM to 8 PM at Nardolillo Funeral Home, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston. 

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to send memorials in Rocco's name to the International Hearing Society, an organization to which Rocco gave much of his time. The IHS address is 33900 West 8 Mile Road, Suite 101, Farmington Hills, MI 48335.  In addition, donations can also be made to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 02907.