Rocco L. Leo

Rocco Louis Leo, 83, husband of the late Rosalie V. (Gambino) Leo, passed on Wed., July 14, 2021, at MidState Medical Center, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Michael and Eleanor (Langone) Leo. He resided in Meriden and attended schools in Brooklyn, NY.

Rocco was employed by the Record Journal beginning in 1957 & retiring in March 1999. He was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church of Meriden and sang in the choir.

As a young man in Brooklyn, Rocco enjoyed his hobby of flying pigeons from coops he had on the rooftops. He went on to marry his childhood sweetheart, Rosalie. When his young sister Jessie came to Meriden to start her family, he and Rosalie visited to help her with her baby. They loved it so much, they moved here too & started their own family.

He went on to start his career in newspaper printing and graphics, ultimately retiring from the Record Journal after 42 years. He was a kind and generous family man. He was a giving man with concern for others above his own. He once grew his hair 12 inches long and donated it to Locks of Love. Even when he may have been under the weather, there was always sunshine in his heart and a funny joke or story on his lips. His philosophy was, "It doesn't matter if people laugh with you or at you, as long as you can make someone laugh, your job is done."

Before his decline in health, he was an avid card player with setback and poker being the games he loved. He played in several leagues multiple times weekly and also at the homes of family and friends. He will be dearly missed and we shall meet again.

He is survived by his beloved 14-year old cat, Isis the Warrior Princess; his son, Michael and his wife Eva Leo; his daughters, Jo Anne and Gina Leo; his granddaughter, Stephanie (Leo) Griswold and her husband David; his great-grandchildren, Noah and Greyson Griswold. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Ralph, Theresa, MaryAnne, Eleanor and Michael and several great nieces and nephews as well as a handful of very dear family friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Jessie Lomando-Lubinski.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Thurs., July 22, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels, St. Joseph Campus. Entombment will follow in Sacred Heart Mausoleum. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church and calling hours are private. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., NY 10016. For online condolences visit jferryfh.com.