Obituary of Leandro Marcello Rocco

ROCCO, “Leo” Leandro Marcello – At Bluewater Health on Friday, November 11, 2011 surrounded by his family who loved him so much, Leandro, age 80, passed away from Parkinson ’s disease.  Leandro was born on February 7, 1931, in Alvito, Frosinone, Italy.  He is predeceased by his parents Vincenzo Rocco and Anna Maria Marini Rocco, brothers Andrea Rocco and Fernando Rocco and sister Rita Marchelletta Rocco and parents-in-law Marco and Michelina Rea.  Leandro is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 57 years, Alietta “Lea” Rocco and his four loving children Fernando, Annamaria Landry and her husband Ivan, Paola Maria and John and his wife Ruthann.  He was an adoring grandfather to Nicholas Baldassarre and his wife Tammy, Leandro Baldassarre, Ryan Farrugia and Matteo and Luca Rocco.  He also leaves behind his two precious great-grandsons Leandro and Gabriel Baldassarre.  He is also survived by sister-in-law Ida Rocco, her son Fernando and his wife Nancy and brother-in-law Bob Rea, along with several cousins, nieces and nephews in Sarnia and Toronto.  In 1954, Leandro moved to Canada to marry Lea, the love of his life.  It was quickly after that he began his years of service and commitment to his community.  He took great joy in helping his fellow immigrants by lending a hand to help find jobs, places to live, assistance with their taxes or just being a supportive friend.  Leandro was a devoted member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church and loved serving his parish in many ways, from singing in two choirs to being a lector, volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul and becoming an Auxiliary Minister.  In addition to this, Leandro was a 2nd Degree Knight of Columbus.  Anyone who knew him, knew of his remarkable gift of song and even luckier were those who were able to hear his heavenly tenor voice, whether it be in his church choirs, or when he sang for the weddings of family and dear friends.  It was in the Church that he was part of a proud group of Italians who wanted to create a place that would enable them to gather together socially, and carry on with tradition.  The Dante Club was founded and he devoted many years to its ongoing development, by serving on the Board of Directors.  Leandro was always so proud of his heritage and with the help of his dear friend, the late Fr. Robert Simionato, the Italian Cultural Association was born, and with it the opportunity for countless young children to participate in weekly Italian Language Classes.  His religious heritage was also very important to him and in 1973 he helped to bring the Feast of St. Rocco to his new home, which embraced both spiritual and cultural traditions which were very dear to him.  Whether it was small traditions at the family table, or bigger ones that involved his community, Leandro firmly believed that tradition was the glue that held us all together.  Leandro moved here as a proud Italian, but loved his new home and became an Italian-Canadian.  He now leaves this life as a proud Canadian-Italian.  He will be forever loved, remembered and missed. Friends will be received at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia, on Tuesday from 3-5 & 7-9 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Antoine Laforet at Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 16th at 10:30 a.m. Interment Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada, 4500 Blakie Rd., Unit 117, London, ON N6L 1G5 or Bluewater Heath, 89 Norman St., Sarnia, ON N7T 6S3.  Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Leandro Rocco in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area