Vito La Rocca

Vito La Rocca

July 28, 1954 - March 12, 2024

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Obituary

Brooklyn - Vito La Rocca, age 69, of Brooklyn, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at his home with his wife and daughters at his side. He was born on July 28, 1954, in Marsala, Italy, the son of Giuseppe and Anna (Laudicina) La Rocca. Vito served in the Italian Army from 1972 - 1975. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1978, initially settling in Rockford, Ill. On Sept. 22, 1984, he married Caterina (Pipitone) La Rocca in Stoughton, WI.


Vito didn't eat to live, he lived to eat! If you talked to him about food, it was going to be a good day. Working in the restaurant business all of his life, work and family were his main focus in life. He was the owner of several businesses over the years, including Marsala’s Pizza, Great America and La Rocca’s Pizzeria.


In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, spending time with family and his grandkids, cooking, drinking wine, and telling stories. He was known for his great sense of humor. He also loved to garden, raising his flowers, vegetables and plants from seeds.  He was a proud Italian who carried his culture with him even after years of having left his home-country and maintained those childhood friendships throughout his life.


Vito is survived by his wife, Caterina; daughters, Anna Lisa (Karl) Larson and Tiziana (Jamison) Mize; grandsons, Joseph and Jack Larson; mother, Anna Laudicina, sister, Enza (Giovanni) Bua; sister-in-law, Maria Pipitone; brother-in-law, Tony (Jessica) Pipitone; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Giuseppe La Rocca; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mattia and Mariano Pipitone.


A memorial gathering will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation at glioblastomafoundation.org. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park St.
(608) 835-3515



Events

20
Memorial Gathering
Wed Mar 20, 2024 @ 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care • 1150 Park St., Oregon, WI 53575
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Memories

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EH
Erika Horstmann
Other •
My favorite memories of Vito include walking into the restaurant and him looking up from pizza duty with a brilliant smile on his face. He definitely knew how to make people feel welcome. His love for his dear family was evident in all he did. He loved you all endlessly. Sending love and prayers and hugs to you all! 💓
LG
Liz Gade-Schara
Other •
Had many meals at Marsala's in Stoughton with Kent and Judy Schroeder. Our daughter Rachael played with the girls in the restaurant. She loved the pizza!!
MP
Maria Pipitone and Tony and Jessica Pipitone
Other •
Vito will remain in our hearts forever.
JC
Joan Collins
Other •
We live in Madison but met Vito in Florida at an oceanside paradise on vacation.Vito was a very hard working man who loved to cook at his restaurant near Madison but also on vacation! After meeting Vito and Cathy in Delray Beach and we back to Madison, we ate at their restaurant in Oregon,Wisconsin, several times. Cathy and Vito spent many hours in the kitchen--hardly had time to come out to our table and say hi. Vito always had a twinkle in his eye. Vito and I had many conversations about work ethic--or the lack of it in today;s world. He and Cathy were such a great team and enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, such as watching the sunset off the Atlantic Ocean.
KD
Kathy & Tim Deneen
Other •
I met Vito and Cathy 15 years ago. I was told to try this Italian restaurant on Williamson St. for our monthly meeting for work. So my husband and I tried it the next friday night. It was awesome. Vito came out and greeted us. He was so friendly. Then we met Cathy and she was just as awesome. We have been friends for quite a while now. I love Vito's stories about Italy, fishing or cooking. He was very passionate about his food. We followed them to Oregon and still have enjoyed their friendship. My favorite memory is when their daughters went to Hurts donuts and purchased a dozen donuts and there we were all taking tastes of all of the different donuts after closing. Great conversations and wine. Vito always picked out our wine for us. We would always ask what special bottle of wine do you recommend for us to try this time. He would go downstairs and find us something new to try. My daughter loves Vito and Cathy too, so much that they catered her rehearsal dinner. Vito I will miss that twinkle in your eye. But we will meet again. Kathy & Tim Deneen
LC
Larry Martin & Martha Cranley
Other •
I first met Vito as a customer at his Williamson Street pizzaria so many years ago. I struck up a conversation, talked about our common Italian heritage and became fast friends. My wife Martha and I have enjoyed and considered it an honor to be "regulars" at LaRocca's these many years. Cathy, we just learned of your loss and sad to have missed Vito's celebration of life. Please know that you, your entire family, and of course Vito are in our thoughts and prayers. We will be visiting Italy for the first time in a few weeks, with a stop at the Vatican. I will say a special prayer for our dear friend, as we will be just a little closer to heaven in my ancestors' homeland. God bless you, and your wonderful husband's memory.

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