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

Vito La Rocca

July 28, 1954 - March 12, 2024

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