Rocco A. Capasso

Rocco A. Capasso, 72 of Belleville, passed away on Tuesday January 27, 2026. Born in Newark, he was the son of the late Rocco S. and Josephine (Patuto) Capasso

Rocco was married to the love of his life Cindy for over 30 years. He was her Ying to her Yang. Together while raising their son Rocco, they lived a life rooted in love, laughter, and cherished times. He was a devoted husband and dad and there was nothing he would not do for family and friends. Family was the center of his world and he was always willing to lend a hand and help in any way he could. It did not matter if he had other plans whoever needed him came first, and his home was always open and inviting to anyone. He was the neighborhood go to guy for anything they needed help with.

His Children Nicole and Rocky were his world. A prouder father he could not have been. He championed and treasured every endeavor and milestone in their lives. He was proud of Nicoles entrepreneurship and her soap business, the adult and mom she had become and was over the moon when she, her husband Michael and his granddaughter Madison came to live with them for 6 months. Rocky Jr. was his buddy two peas in a pod, always working together around the house and yard on any project. His car side kick taking several rides every day in the multiple cars they owned. Dad was his champion, his hero and Rocky was proud to be called his son. Many laughs and treasured memories were shared and the love between them was tight and strong. Their dad was an overprotected dad but it was something they could both laugh about. He worried enough for all of us.

His granddaughter Madison was the light of his life; he was her #1 pop and spending time with her was one of his greatest joys. Listening to all her stories, things she was making, or what she was involved in he loved hearing about it. He also loved to listen to her play the violin and watching her dance. His heart was full and the smile on his face was larger than life. He was proud of the young lady she was becoming. He enjoyed taking her to lunch or just grilling their favorite hot dogs. Something he always treasured.

His passion in life other than his family was cars. Oil ran in his veins; and as my nephew said he is sure he is already under Jesus's hood checking it out. He loved muscle cars and especially older ones. He was an Auto Body Mechanic for over 35 years for East Nutley Garage and the word on the street was he could take a car that was mangled in an accident fix it and you would never know it was in an accident. He loved taking his Corvette for rides and tried never to miss a local car show to show it off and hang with his buddies and Rocky Jr. Especially Tuesday nights at Rutt's. Along with his Corvette he enjoyed driving his 2003 Mustang, he was a true kid at heart. When it came to cars he cared for them like they were his children. Only the best wax would do, nothing less, and never should the direct rain or snow hit the paint on the car. You could eat off his cars, that's how good he maintained them. He was a true enthusiast of anything car related and during his life time he owned over two dozen cars, the oldest being a 1951 Buick a true driving Miss Daisy car. He also has a significant collection of die cast cars.

Cars and spending time with family and friends making special memories at Holiday parties, Cape May trips, and special gatherings, just hanging out on the deck or porch, or helping any family member or friend he could was who he was. His home or the B/B as we called it was always welcoming and food a plenty. His sister Joanne was his everything, and her death hit him hard. They had a beautiful brother sister relationship and he always made sure he had her back. His cousins that were considered brothers and sisters, not cousins. And once he married Cindy an even larger family who loved him like a brother and he in return. He said he was blessed to be able to be part of such a large family and loved his "brothers and Sisters. "They were special to him in different ways but certainly the love he had for them was real and heartfelt. He was a special uncle a role that he treasured throughout his life time. Not only for his grown nieces and nephews but their children. He was always honored when they wanted to spend time with him, sit and have tea, come and stay over, curl up on a chair with him, just sit talk, or play. Spending time with Uncle Rocky was something he always treasured and the love he had for his nieces and nephews was true, heartfelt and strong. He has many treasured memories with them all, each different in their own unique way that he takes with him.

He valued his friendships if you were his friend he was a devoted friend. He was a loyal friend and treated everyone he ever met with kindness. If you had the pleasure of knowing him you knew you had someone in your life you could count on always and a good friend for life.

Rocky could fix anything as long as he had screws, glue, and duct tape and maybe a little sealer, and he could clean like no other. Towards the end of his career he worked for the Belleville Board of Education as a head custodian for school #4 taking those cleaning skills to a whole new level ensuring the school was safe and impeccably clean. The friendships he made during his careers were lifelong friendships and ones he valued. He was a happy man as long as he had cleaning supplies, especially Windex and paper towels and his fix anything goods.

He was a happy man a simple man, the kindest human anyone could know. He loved large and cared deeply. As long as he had the love of family, friends, a couple nice cars, and those supplies he needed nothing else. During this past week the love, prayers and support that has overpoured for Rocky and his family is something that I know he is smiling from Heaven and grateful for. But we know he is probably also using one of his favorite phrases of course, "Do they know who I am." Something we can laugh about always.

He may no longer be with us in the Physically sense but the lives and hearts he has touch during his lifetime will last all our lifetimes and beyond. I also know that he would tell us all, live life, be kind, life changes on a dime! Go rest high on that mountain Rocky you deserve it!

Funeral from the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St. Nutley on Monday February 2, 2026 at 9:30 am. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church at 10:30 am followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitors will be received at the funeral home on Sunday February 1, from 2-6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).