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LaRocco was born Jan. 20, 1922, in Little Falls, N.Y., to John and Concetta LaRocco.
He attended Stamford High School. He was also a machinist. He was a veteran of World War II, having served as a Navy first class petty officer. He was stationed first in San Diego and the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, where as a machinist he repaired and performed daily maintenance on many ships in the Pacific Fleet.
After WWII, he became the owner of C&L Precision Inc., a machine shop that provided parts to the manufacturing, defense and aerospace industries, including Apollo 11, the first manned space trip to the moon, as well as providing parts to Sikorsky Aircraft and for the Norden Mark 15 Bombsight. Along with his wife, he owned Budget Dry Cleaners in Riverside.
LaRocco is survived by his wife, Bendetta "Tootsie"; sons, John LaRocco (partner, Doris Mendenhall), Joseph B. LaRocco (Regina); and two grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; and sons, Ernest and Samuel "Sonny" LaRocco Jr.
Calling hours are Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford. A procession will leave the funeral home Thursday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Ave., Stamford. Interment will follow at St. John's RC Cemetery, Darien.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in LaRocco's memory to The National Italian American Foundation, 1860 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009.
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