Obituary of Pasquale Rocco

Pasquale "Pat" Rocco, 87, passed away peacefully at St. Peter's Hospital on Monday February 24, 2014. Pat was born in Albany, NY, the son of the late Joseph and Rose Costa Rocco. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Pat worked for Leto construction, then entered the culinary field where he made his mark as an executive chef and baker. He was the executive chef for the former Governors Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo. Pat was accomplished in pastilliage (sugar sculptures). Pat went on to be a chef in Las Vegas where he cooked for celebrities and politicos. He was one of the first culinary instructors at the SCCC culinary program. He volunteered for the NAACP and received a lifetime achievement award from the American Heart Association, the award presented to him by then Bishop Howard Hubbard. He was a member and worked for the Democratic Party in Albany and was also a member of the Polish American Club and the VFW. Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years, Mary Ida Carbone Rocco; his devoted children: Joseph (Susan) Rocco of Albany, Patrick " Patsy" (Germaine) Rocco of Hilton Head Island, SC, Deborah (Gary) Barnum of West End, NC, Kristine (Jeffrey) Pease of Burnt Hills, Diana Rocco of Las Vegas, Eileen (James) Linnell of Albany, and Stephanie (Michael) Galietta of Topsham, ME. Pat's brother Frank of Albany as well as 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren also survive. His siblings Vincent, George, Marie, Elizabeth and Josephine as well as his grand daughter Lisa Ann Raylinsky, predeceased Pat. Funeral services will begin at 9:15 am on Friday February 28, 2014 from the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave. Albany, NY and be followed at 10 am by a Mass of Christian Burial at Christ Our Light Catholic Church, 1 Maria Drive, Loudonville, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to call on the family at the funeral home from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday, February 27, 2014. Interment will take place in Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY.