Rocco Iossa

I first met Rocco as a young college student at Drew University in 1967. He gave advice on where to buy clothes, what businesses to frequent, where to get my hair cut, what dentist to use, and connected me to my wonderful Dr. Garces, who cared for me for over forty years. I bought many gifts at Janet's baby shop and frequented the restaurant until I retired to Pennsylvania in 2008. I took my mother to the restaurant for her birthday every year and Rocco and Janet always gave her special attention. Each time I had dinner at the restaurant, Rocco and I would exchange jokes and I would often have a wonderful conversation and a martini with Janet. No two people could have ever treated me with more kindness and generosity than Rocco and Janet. Rocco once told me that, if I ever had a problem, to come to him and he would help in whatever way he could. After my move to Pennsylvania, I would visit Madison in December each year and my friend Kris and I would celebrate the holidays together at Rocco's, always at our favorite window table. I am so thankful for all my experiences at Rocco's and for Rocco and Janet, a wonderful couple. May light perpetual shine upon them.

I remember almost every Friday night getting a large pizza at Rocco´s. Mr. Rocco as I´d call him was always busy and yet always had a smile for me. I would cut out the coupons from the pizza boxes and save them up. Mr. Rocco made the best pizza and made this guy´s Friday nights for many years. May God Bless him and I offer condolences to his family.

I am heartbroken about the loss of Rocco. We had many laughs together in Italian. We spoke the same dialect. As a Rotarian Rocco could be relied upon to.participate in many projects and his generosity of time and money. Rocco even brought bottles of his homemade wine to our house. He was a joy to deal with under any circumstance. God bless him.