Deacon Stephen Rocchi

1923 - 2019

Deacon Stephen Rocchi

Wild Rose - Deacon Stephen Edward Rocchi, age 95 of rural Wild Rose passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, July 30, 2019 at his home in the Township of Mount Morris, surrounded by the love of his family.

Steve was born December 11, 1923 in Chicago, IL, a son of the late Carlo A. and Eleanor (Dondero) Rocchi.

He didn't finish high school. Steve left the classroom to work in a factory, and joined the Army in 1943. Following his military service, Steve took a job as an armored vehicle driver for Brinks, Inc. He later became the Secretary-Treasurer of the Armored Car Division of the Teamsters' Union.

Steve and Gloria (Radeck) were married February 7, 1948 in Chicago, and shared 76 wonderful years together.

Steve's pastor at St. Celestine's Church in Elmwood Park, Illinois approached him about the Deaconate Program. Following his completion of the Program, Deacon Steve was ordained by Cardinal Cody on May 22, 1976 at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. He served as a Deacon at St. Celestine's Parish in Elmwood Park, Illinois, and at St. Joseph's Parish in Wautoma, when he and Gloria moved to Wisconsin.

Steve and Gloria had two children, a son Michael (Jeanine) and a daughter, Connie Benedetto, who passed away in 2008, three grandchildren, Glorianne Borta, Stephen Rocchi, and Melissa Rocchi, and four great-grandchildren, Toni, Tasha, Tiffanie, and Nicholas; his brother, the late Joseph Rocchi, brother-in-law, Bernard Radeck, many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and good friends, and the many people, whose lives Steve touched and enriched in his 43 years of service as a Deacon in the Catholic Church.

Steve loved to golf and fish, and was a member of the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus, and the Lions Club. MOST of all Steve loved his wife, Gloria and his family.

FUNERAL SERVICES for Deacon Steve will be held Monday, August 5th. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church (364 South Cambridge Street) in Wautoma, where the Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Deacon Steve will be laid to rest on the family plot in the Howe's Corners Cemetery in the Town of Mount Morris.

VISITATION: Relatives and friends may call from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Monday only prior to the Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wautoma.

The Ruminski Funeral Home of Redgranite is assisting the Rocchi family with arrangements. (920) 566-2313