ALBANY – James A. “Jimmy” Rocco, 63, passed away peacefully with his beloved family by his side on Friday, January 2, 2015 in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. Jimmy was born in Albany, and lived here all his life. He was a graduate of Vincentian Institute, Class of 1969, and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. Jimmy’s life revolved around making music and entertaining, while working days for the Verizon phone company for 43 years and raising a wonderful family. He was a member of several well known area bands including the Chord-A-Roys, Apple Corps, Chazy Westport System, the Rocco Brothers, J. D. Rocco & Co., and Spare Parts. Jimmy also enjoyed singing in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church in Albany. His congeniality and good humor were contagious; those of us who knew Jimmy will mostly remember the good times, of which there were so many.
Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife Deborah Riley Rocco; his sons Lawrence Pape (Sherri) of Albany, and James J. Rocco (Kelly Vigne) of Arlington, VA; his father Frank A. Rocco of Albany; his brothers Joseph Rocco (Peggy) of Green Island, Frank Rocco, Jr. (Nancy) of Albany; his sister Carol Anne Fisher (George) of Mesquite, NV; his brother in law Paul Riley (Yvette) of Latham; his sister in law Patricia Riley Lawton (Thomas) of Guilderland Center; his three beautiful grandchildren Adriana & Nolan Pape, and James M. Rocco; and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Eileen Rocco.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday morning at 8:15, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, Homestead St., Albany at 9:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Editha House, 336 East Willetta St., Phoenix, AZ 85004. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Barbara Turner
My condolences to the Rocco family.
john filipello
Deb and Family, my deepest condolence on the loss of a giant titan Husband, father, grandfather ,brother and friend most of all my friend. no words can ever express what is in my heart. Rock may our Lord and savior embrace you in His arms and relish in all the Joy you provided us all on this earth No man has earned a greater reward Love ya Rock Flip
Michaela Joyce
My thoughts and prayers are with your family….If there was a greater guy? I dont know who he was….although I hadnt seen him in a long time….thoughts of Jimmy will always make me smile! Debbie, we never met but I was always envious of you for having this guy! I wished he had a brother, but Paul was taken and so were the rest of the Rocco boys! I recently lost my father to cancer this past July, so my heart is heavy for you as I am still reeling from our loss….I hope they get to meet in heaven…My Dad would love Jimmy! Peace and Prayers to you all…He was the best Spare Part ever! RIP my friend…..
Clifford Brucker
I’ll always remember the great times we had in JDRocco & Co. I became very good friends with Jimmy and Debbie, Pat and the whole family. My deepest condolences to my dear friend Debbie and family. Anything you need I’m just a phone call away. RIP my fellow drummer/musician, I will always remember you. Love, Cliff
Paul Caimano
Debbie and Family, please accept my deepest condolences at the passing of one great musician and person. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, and you can be certain that the band in Heaven just go a lot better.
Kevin & Debby Hicks
Deb and family,
So sorry for your loss. Remembering our early days playing drums in the Delaware and Second Ave. neighborhoods. Memories that will last forever. What a gentlemen he was every time we ran into each other. Just a beautiful guy. You’re in our hearts and prayers at this time.
Kevin Hicks
PAT AND BOB DESIO
DEB WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR CONDOLENCES AT YOUR LOSS. JIM WAS A REMARKABLE PERSON.. I DIDNT REALIZE HIS MJSIC MUSIC TALENT. PLEASE CALL ON US IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE WILL MISS YOUR BELOVED.
BOB AND PAT
Bert Pagano
Deb and family, My deepest sympathies to you all. Jim was a great guy and wonderful musician who brought great joy to a countless number of people with his talents. He will be sorely missed.
Nancy Nichols
Debbie and family,
My heart goes out to you for your loss. Jimmy was a special friend to me and to all who knew him. Please know you all are in my prayers.
Ralph Commisso
Rocco family, my sincere And deepest condolences to your family. Jimmy and I were school buddies at VI… He will always be remembered for being a great human being and a great musician. He will be greatly missed.
Ralph Commisso
The Magnan Family
To quote: “You beat cancer by how you lived, why you lived and the manner in which you lived.” Jimmy was such a man and although our hearts are heavy, Jimmy’s legacy will live on. God knew what he was doing when he allowed us to move next door to the Rocco’s. We had 17 years with the best neighbor ever, and Mike considered Jimmy one of his dearest friends. His memory will live on through the music he shared with our sons. Debbie, Jimmy and Larry, our love and prayers are with you. We are here for you always.
Grace Nautel Thayer
This is indeed sad news. Jimmy and his band were one of the best. We were very fortunate to enjoy his talent in high school and beyond.
Rest in peace.
Grace – VI Class of 1968
SigmaCare
Deepest condolences from Larry’s friends and co-workers at SigmaCare. We are sending condolences and supporting thoughts for Larry and his family in this difficult time. A donation has also been made to the Editha House in memory of James A. “Jimmy” Rocco.
Jim and Trish Anderson
We are grateful to have known him . We loved him.
Jim and Trish Anderson
Earl & Sharon Vigne
To Debbie, Jim, Larry and Extended Family,
“If you want to be unhappy, think about yourself. If you want to be happy, think of others”. (Author Unknown)
Jim was a very happy man!
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and share your great loss.
With Love & Sympathy,
Earl & Sharon Vigne
Patty Finnerty
Dear Debbie & Family,
My thoughts and prayers to all of you. Jimmy loved his family, there was always a sparkle in his eye when he spoke of any of you.
Debbie, you were his rock!, the love of his life. Always keep the great memories close to your heart.
RIP Jimmy, you will be missed.
Howard Carr
Debbbie and the entire Rocco family,
It is with great sympathy that I write this note. I grew up with Jimmy and all the cousins in Albany off Delaware Ave. and there was never anyone who sttod for ll the right things more than Jimmy. His music was a great part of him, but his sould and gentlmenliness will always stand out in my mind. Jim and DEb, you gave us and our faamilies much joy and happiness. May the afterlife give you peace and comfort becasue we will always remeber you for being a wonderful indivual.
My sympathies
Howard
Jeff Shellenberger
Jim, I am terribly sorry to hear about your father. The few times I met the man, he could not have been nicer, and more friendly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
BARBARA HOUSE
TO JIM’S FAMILY, PEGGY AND JOE ROCCO, I CANNOT COME TO THE WAKE (DOCTOR’S ORDERS) BUT I WANTED TO SHARE MY CONDOLENCES WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY. JOE HE WAS YOUR BROTHER AND SO ALIKE WERE YOU TWO. I MEANT JIMMY A FEW TIMES AND HE WAS AS GREAT AS THEY COME. HE ENTERTAINED US AS WE SANG AND DANCED AND WE LOVED THOSE TIMES. MY PRAYERS AND LOVE ARE WITH YOU ALL. GOD BLESS.
Ira Lobel
It is with great sadness that I saw the obituary in the paper. I have fond memories of playing football, basketball, and wifflle ball with all the Rocco brothers on the corner of Cuyler and Matilda many, many years ago. I also have fond memories of watching Jimmy play in his band for our daughters bad mtizvah 20 years ago, as well as many other similar events. Jimmy was a great musician and a fine human being. He will be missed.
Robert Wilkins
So sorry to hear of the lose of such an inspiration and motivator as Jimmy Rocco. We all have different memories of man who touched so many in the years he was with us at the various Bell Companies. He always had a way to bridge the generations and the differences that the years may have caused. With Jimmy he could get us all to come together to enjoy a certain song or even after smoking became a taboo he could find a way to blend old and new in a different method where we all felt comfortable around the song the great smoke and the fire. You will be missed Jimmy but you leave behind a well balanced life that your children will recall and respect forever. I think your family realizes how many lives other than theirs you have touched. God Bless Bob, Edna Wilkins
Andrea Bahr
Condolences to Jim’s family from a fellow Verizon employee. Fabulous drummer whose wit and talent will be missed by many.
Brian & Kathy Harbour
Debbie & the entire Rocco family,
Please accept our deepest and most sincere sympathies for your loss. I will always remember him as a great and very talented musician and greater friend, for he treated me as family. I have many fond memories of gigs with Jimmy and enjoyed and cherished his friendship, compassion and humor immensely.
Prayers and sympathies,
Brian & Kathy
Deborah Oleynik
Deb and family, Please accept my deepest and most sincere sympathies. I had the pleasure to work with Jim, I am fully aware of the sacrifices a family makes from the hours worked at the “phone company’. Thank you for all the sacrifices made so that we could be entertained by Jim. Through work Jim became a great friend, he taught me about many things beside phone work, union politics, he was understanding, kind, thoughtful, witty, hard working. I will always remember him as a sweet, lovable gentleman, besides being a talented musician. Whenever I hear the drum solo on Behind Blue Eyes, & the song Couldn’t Get It Right, I will always think of Jim. My prayers are with you all.
Mark Brockley
So sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. A fellow musician and classmate, getting to play music with him senior year after 3 years of standing in awe was the highlight of my time at V.I. My prayers are with him and those who mourn him, Mark
peter j libertucci
to the rocco family im very sorry for your loss may peace and prayer rest in your hearts peter j libertucci