Rocco L. Zizza passed away peacefully on June 6, 2014, after a lengthy illness at age 79.
Rocco was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Rocco never met a stranger. You were always greeted with a smile and a joke. Rocco was born in Anzano in the province of Foggia, Italy, and was very proud of his Italian heritage, coming to the United States at age 12 and was also equally proud of being American citizen, serving in the United States Army. He was a graduate of Christopher Columbus High School, and Boston University, class of 1957.
Rocco was a successful salesman for the Prudential Insurance Company of America. For whom he worked for over 30 years, where he achieved lifetime membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table. Rocco established his own agency Zizza Insurance, in Stoneham, Massachusetts. He was an original member of the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce. Rocco was an active member of the community.
A past president of Stoneham Pop Warner, and the Sons of Italy, he was a founder of the Appian Club, in Stoneham. He worked tirelessly to help declare the month of October, Italian Heritage Month in the state of Massachusetts. Rocco loved the opera, loved to travel, spending time in his condo in Cape Coral, Florida, and was an avid golfer. Rocco was proud of many things. The thing that gave him the most pride was his family. Rocco was the son of the late Rose Angela Melino Zizza and Euplio Zizza,
Rocco leaves his wife of 56 years, Accursia (Sue) DeMarco Zizza, his chidren; Anthony and his wife, Laurie, Michael and his wife, Carrie, Rocco, Susan Maguire and her husband, Doctor Kevin, John and his husband, Bill Fedus, Deana Crowther and her husband, John and Cristina. He was the cherished grandfather of Elaina Zizza, Jamie Zizza, Leah Zizza, Eamonn Maguire, William Crowther, Katherine Crowther, Abigail Crowther, Joseph Zizza, and Domenic Zizza. He is also survived by his three sisters, Maria Domenica Marciello, Antonietta Tenaglia, his twin Carmela Deluca, many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.
Funeral from the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Rocco's Eternal Life in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St. Stoneham at 10am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the Family on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 from 4-8pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and handicapped elevator are available. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham.
Please honor Rocco's memory by making a donation to The Appian Club Scholarship Fund, 42C Pleasant Street, Stoneham, MA 02180.
For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome