Tribute & Message From The Family
Rocco Anthony DelGrosso, A life long resident of Pelham, passed away on March 6th 2021. He was 67 years old. Born in the Bronx to Rocco and Jean DelGrosso, Rocco was the eldest of four children. The family moved to Pelham when Rocco was 2 years of age. Rocco was raised on First Avenue in Pelham and attended St. Catharines Elementary School before graduating from Pelham Memorial High School in 1971. After graduating PMHS Rocco would follow in his father's footsteps and began working in the construction field while attending Westchester Community College where Rocco attained an associates degree.
Rocco married his high school sweet heart; Deborah Wayne in 1977. They would have been married 44 years in May. Rocco and Deborah met at the Pelham Memorial High School while Rocco was in 12th grade and as they say the rest his history. Shortly after their wedding, Rocco would join the Pelham Police Department as a patrol man and work his way up to Lieutenant. Rocco dedicated 38 years of his life to the Pelham Police Dept. While patrolling the beat you could find Rocco at Wolf's Lane Deli or Pelham Pizza which were two of his many favorite places. Rocco also enjoyed going to Aruba with his family, playing golf in Westchester and watching the Yankee's or Jets.
Rocco will be remembered for his life long service to the community, his kind, generous and outgoing personality and his wonderful sense of humor. But most of all Rocco will be remembered as a family man. He made sure he attended every family event and was always there for his family. He adored his family especially his four wonderful grand-children.
Rocco is survived by his wife Deborah, his Son Christopher (Marci) DelGrosso, his daughters; Kimberly (Jose) Llamas and Elizabeth (John) Peters. He will be deeply missed by his 4 grandchildren; Nolan Peters and Mason, Jack, and Emily Llamas. Rocco is also survived by his 3 sisters; Jeanmarie Sousa, Barbara Grond, and Carol Mastrangelo. Rocco will be missed by his friends on the committee and everyone who knew him. He is predeceased by his parents Rocco and Jean DelGrosso.
A celebration of Rocco's life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York on Wednesday March 10th from 4-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church located at 575 Fowler Avenue, Pelham Manor, New York on Thursday March 11th at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com
Condolence & Memory Journal
Debbie, So sorry to hear about Rocco. It was always nice to see him and his gentle, charming, quiet but strong ways while around town. My heartfelt thoughts go out to you and your family. May Gold Bless You All. With love, Angela Matteo and family
Posted by
Angela Matteo - Pelham, NY - friend March 26, 2021
So sorry for your loss!! Pelham Forever!
Posted by
Debra Carnahan(Russo) March 20, 2021
Rocco was a beautiful soul and I will always remember the times and laughs we shared in Atlantic City. You will be greatly missed my friend....Debbie, we love you and will pray for you and your family...
Posted by
Vinnie Marotta - Aston, PA - Classmate March 13, 2021
Dear Debbie and family...I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved, Rocco. He was such a kind,caring and gentle man. I will remember him fondly with our summers spent at Davenport and our pepper parties. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.
Posted by
Fran Friscia - New Rochelle, NY March 11, 2021
I'm lucky to have had the privilege to know Rocco. We worked together at MARTHA & Dr. Oz, he was a father figure and looked out for our Department at the show. He was a wonderful, charismatic and kind man that adored his family, I could only imagine how much he adored his grandchildren. I am deeply sorry for your loss, may you live in all of memories you shared. May his memory be eternal.
Posted by
Rosanna Panagakos - Marlboro, NJ - Coworker March 10, 2021
Rocco, I regret that I was not able to pay my respects to you in person. I am moved by all you've accomplished. I knew you through High School. There has been decades that we've never spoken to each other again. I was contacted because we are all connected. We started life back then which bonds us all. I hope you are now at peace. Take care.
Posted by
Ferdinand Anderson - Pelham, NY - Friend March 10, 2021
Debbie and Family, Jeanemarie, Barbara, Carol- Sorry for your loss, my condolences to all. I will surely miss him getting coffee in the morning across from my shop. May he rest in Peace with Mom and Dad.
Posted by
Ken Raffio - Pelham, NY - Family Friend March 10, 2021
My sincere condolences to the family
Posted by
Stephen Ruffino - Plantation, FL - Family Friend March 10, 2021
Debbie & Family- Please accept my sincere condolances.Rocco was a great guy, he wil be missed.
Posted by
Grace Porzio-ONeill March 10, 2021
Debbie and family: the wound left by Rocco's sudden departure is to deep to be fathomable. Diane and I take solace in that we were fortunate enough to have been touched by his kindness and effervescent joy for life. Debbie, Diane and I greave deeply with you. And we celebrate enthusiastically the life of your husband and our dear dear friend. Rocco, may you rest in a well deserved peace .
Posted by
Dean/Diane Racanelli - Mohegan Lake, NY - Friend March 10, 2021
Deepest condolences to the family
Posted by
Phil Collins - Fort Montgomery, NY - Family Friend March 10, 2021
The North's family is so sorry for your loss.
Our sincere condolences to your family.
Posted by
Angela North - Pelham, NY - Acquaintance March 10, 2021
I am so sorry for your families loss. I first worked with Rocco at Dr Oz when the show was in the NBC building. He showed me the ropes and how to navigate the politics at NBC. He will be missed!!! God bless you all and May he Rest In Peace!!!
Posted by
Joe Pryor - Los Angeles, CA - Coworker March 10, 2021
My family thoughts and prayers are with Carol and the family.
Posted by
Greg Davis - West Simsbury, CT - Family Friend March 09, 2021
My condolences to the family truly will miss Rocco
Posted by
Paul Chevannes - Bronx, NY - Coworker March 09, 2021
Dear Debbie, My heart and prayers go out to you and the family. I had the pleasure of meeting Rocco for the first time a couple months ago. He has a kind soul and I felt that immediately! May he Rest In Peace with all the other angels in heaven.
Posted by
Frank DePaolo - New Rochelle, NY - Acquaintance March 09, 2021
Dearest Debbie, I am truly at a loss for words. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry, and so sad that you and the community have lost such a gentle, kind man. May Rocco soar with the angels into the arms of our loving God, and may he rest in peace. Love you my friend.
Posted by
Patti (DeFillipo) Wienecke - Mahopac, NY - Family Friend March 09, 2021
Very sorry to learn of the passing of Rocco. Much too young, especially for the family and his retirement years. Worked with Rocco for many years and always considered him one of Pelham's Finest. This was a shocker. My sympathy to Debbie and family.
Posted by
Anthony M. Quatroni - New Rochelle, NY - Coworker March 09, 2021
So sorry to hear about your loss. We will miss seeing Rocco doing collections at the 8:00 mass at OLPH. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family
Posted by
Jack and Susan Clyde - City Island, NY - Acquaintance March 09, 2021
Please accept the most heartfelt sympathies of Le Moyne College. We hope the love and memories you will forever hold in your heart bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Posted by
Le Moyne College March 09, 2021
dear Debbie and family,
what a shock to learn of Rocco's passing. I knew him even before you two got married. Tommy reminded me when I was working and he broke his arm, Rocco was there to comfort him and get him to the hospital.
Such a wonderful man. Lately I saw him on the train when we would both come home from good old Manhattan. One time I was not feeling well and while sitting on a bench, Rocco came over to see if I was alright. (He Actually had not changed since the days I had known him better).
Lots of love to the whole family from the Fisher family.
Posted by
elma fisher - new rochelle, NY - Friend March 09, 2021
Debbie and Family: I am deeply saddened to hear about your loss, Pelham's loss, the world's loss. Rocco was one of my longest friends; we were pitcher and catcher on several Little League teams together, starting at around age 7. From there, our lives would crisscross so many times over the succeeding years. Rocco, as you know, was one of the nicest guys, thoughtful, kind, calm and consistently upbeat. I always enjoyed being around Rocco and I am truly sad that he he is no longer with us. Rocco, you and your entire family are in my prayers.
Posted by
Rick Casey - Pelham, NY - Friend March 09, 2021
Dear Carol, Dan, and family,
I am so sorry to learn of Rocco's passing. Though I never met him, I remember seeing him in his uniform around Pelham, and he was always smiling. Please know that all of your family remain in my prayers.
With love and condolences,
Felicia
Posted by
Felicia Gallo - Pelham, NY - Friend March 09, 2021
So many special times with Rocco! I used to call him my big Teddy Bear
Posted by
Denise Fumo - Friend March 09, 2021
Dear Debbie. I was so saddened to hear about your loss. Rocco was always a wonderful person. A gentle man, good husband and father. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. My prayers are with you and the family.
Posted by
Suzanne Ruggiero-Madeo - Brewster, NY - Friend March 08, 2021
Debbie I just found out about Rocco. I am so sorry. You are in my prayers .
Posted by
Letty Bartoszek - Pelham, NY - Friend March 08, 2021
Our deepest condolences on your loss. We are heart broken for you and your family. May he RIP in the arms of our lord. He is an Angel with God forever watching over your family. ❤
Posted by
Vincent/Kathleen Mazzillo - New Rochelle, NY - Neighbor March 08, 2021
