Rocco Louis DePietro

Rocco L. DePietro, 81, Olyphant, died on Monday morning at Regional Hospital of Scranton. His wife of 57 years is the former Rose Mary Polito. Born in Carbondale, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Antoinette Morano DePietro. He was a graduate of Olyphant High School, Class of 1953 and attended Penn State College. Rocco was very proud of his military service and had a great respect for all those who served in the armed forces in defense of our country. He served in the United States Army from October 3, 1955 to October 3, 1957 assigned to the US Army Transportation Command at Fort Eustis, Virginia and spent additional time in Fort Story near Virginia Beach. He was certified by the US Army Transportation School in 1956 where he was assigned to units serving Thule Air Force Base, Greenland. He also served in the US Army Reserve from 1957 to 1961 in the Pennsylvania Military District in the light weapons infantry, ultimately receiving a designation as rifleman, sharpshooter. After receiving his honorable discharge he worked in the Billig Shoe Factory in Peckville until 1968 and became a Prudential Insurance agent in 1968, retiring after 25 years of service in 1993. Among his personal interests were a love for the big band music of the late 1930s and 40s. He collected tape recordings of virtually all the major bandleaders of that era. He was an avid baseball fan, particularly of the Boston Red Sox. Rocco was a man with a simple, but strong Catholic faith and was proud of his Italian heritage. He was a member of Holy Ghost Church, now Holy Cross Parish for over 50 years. He and his beloved wife and best friend enjoyed spending time together going to church, shopping and watching old time TV comedies. He is also survived by one son, Michael, wife Lisa, Hockessin, Delaware; two daughters: Maryann DePietro, husband Frank O’Malley, Roseville, California and Roxanne DePietro-Hartman, husband Mark, Ellicott City, Maryland; seven grandsons: Thomas, Matthew, Patrick, Nicolas, Max, Tyler and Zachary; one sister, Eleanor Keegan, Throop; several nieces, nephews, including Ted Keegan and Lori Ann Pasko. He was preceded in death by 4 sisters: Angeline Vitellaro, Grace Picchio, Josephine Scarlatta and Frances Whitman and an infant brother. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 9:30AM at Holy Cross Parish at St. Patrick’s Church, 200 Delaware Avenue, Olyphant by Msgr. Michael J. Delaney, pastor. Military Honors will be held by the American Legion Post #327, Olyphant. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Dunmore. Friends may call on Thursday from 9am until time of service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Hudak-O’Shea Funeral Home, 115 Garfield Avenue, Olyphant. Donations may be made in Rocco’s memory to Holy Cross Parish. For directions or on-line condolences, please visit: www.hudak-osheafuneralhome.com.