Rocco Joseph Annecchini |
| Posted 2009-07-05 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, July 01, 2009 Rocco Joseph Annecchini, age 85, born May 29, 1924, in Italy, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at his home in Prescott, Ariz. A Celebration of Life, Gathering of Friends and Time of Sharing will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009, at Ken Lindley Ball Field in Prescott. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Rocco Annecchini to the YRMC Hospice, 3262 N. Windsong Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314, or to the Prescott Little League, 1042 Willow Creek Road, Box 169, Prescott, Ariz., 86301. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. ~~~~~~~~~ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Monday, July 06, 2009 Rocco Joseph Annecchini Sr., 85, of Prescott, Ariz. passed away at his home surrounded by family members, in the early morning hours of June 30, 2009. He was born on May 29, 1924 to Cesare and Liberata Annecchini in San Vito Chietino, Italy. He was the third of four children; brother Vittorio, sister, Angelina and sister Amelia. On Aug. 11, 1930, when Rocky was just six years old, he arrived in the Port of New York. His mother, Liberata, had traveled for 10 days across the Atlantic with him and his two sisters on the ship, SS Saturnia. They were joining his father Cesare who was already living in Saltsburg, Pa. and working in the coal mines. This is where Rocky spent the next 43 years of life. At age 17 he was drafted into the Farm Team of the Pittsburgh Pirates. His baseball career was short lived as he went to serve his country during WWII. While in the U.S. Army, Rocky participated in the Battle of Normandy and campaigns in the Ardennes, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. After the war, he married the love of his life, Mary Elaine Lombardi, on June 8, 1946. They made their home in Saltsburg, Pa. While raising their six children, Rocky worked for the railroad, owned a TV repair shop and worked for Kiski Prep School. Then, in 1972, his son, Rocky, Jr. came to Yavapai College. Shortly thereafter Rocky and Mary moved with their three youngest children to Prescott where they lived until 1979. They relocated to Flagstaff, Ariz. where Rocky drove a school bus for South Beaver Elementary. He was also employed by Northern Arizona University and went on to coach girl's softball there. In 1990, he and Mary returned to Prescott. Anyone who knew Rocky knew that next to his love and devotion to his family came his love and devotion to the game of baseball. Throughout his life he spent countless hours not only playing ball, but coaching little league, high school, college, senior and local athletes. He also helped in organizing and promoting several local softball tournaments including the VA Hospital. Recently he assisted coaching Bradshaw Mountain JV Baseball. Rocky played in the senior softball league up until May of this year. Rocky is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Vittorio Annecchini (Italy) and his sister Angelina Discisio (Saltsburg, Pa.). He is survived by his wife Mary; son Victor (Linda) Annecchini of Avonmore, Pa.; daughter Toni (Paul) Shearon of Flagstaff, Ariz.; son Rocky (Shirley) of Prescott, Ariz.; daughter Debbie (Dave) Fisher of Prescott, Ariz.; daughter Becky (Mike) Medina of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; and son Dino (Adrienne) Annecchini of Flagstaff, Ariz. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Kim and Rocky W., Jeff and Jennifer Shearon, Rocky J. Annecchini III, Chris and Brian Fisher, Jason and Derek Medina, Amber and Alexis Annecchini; eight great-grandchildren; and his sister, Amy Shatelle of Syracuse, N.Y. Rocky was blessed with many friends and touched countless people's lives. He will be forever in our hearts. We love and miss him dearly. The family would like to express special thanks to those who helped our family during this difficult time. A Rosary/Mass will be at St. Catherine LaBoure Catholic Church, 2062 N. State Route 89, Chino Valley, Ariz. at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2009. A Celebration of Life Service will be at Ken Lindley Field, 702 E. Gurley St., Prescott, Ariz. at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2009. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to YRMC Hospice, 3262 N. Windsong Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors. See Also: Find A Grave |
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