Name: Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park
Address: Dallas, TX

My name is Carlos Varela. I met Aldo shortly after I joined one of Enrica’s Conversational Italian classes in Dallas, in the mid 1980’s. It did not take long before I discovered that Enrica and Aldo would be two of the dearest people I would ever know. Aldo was such a listener! He was always interested in hearing what was going on in my life and always had the right advise for the moment. By the end of the 1980’s, I had spent enough evenings at the Zocchi’s (sharing the best pasta in town, enjoying long conversations over wine and grappa, getting to know wonderful people from Samarate, Italy  (Giovanna, Peppino, to name two)) that months before my wedding in July of 1990, Enrica, Aldo and I had put together the itinerary of my honeymoon in Italy. When Gabriel, our oldest son, was born in 1996, Enrica and Aldo were among his first baby sitters (picture). Because of my work, we moved to Miami in 1998. Rafael, our second son, was born in 1999 and as soon as we could, we flew to Dallas to introduce Rafael to Enrica and Aldo (picture). Through the years we stayed in touch, sharing so much . . .  and when Gabriel ended up attending UD, we would make it a priority to spend time with Enrica and Aldo every time we were in town, whether for Orientation, Family Weekend, Graduation (picture during Graduation trip). 

Ciao, Aldo! I know you are in heaven!

Randy and I are not sure how we were so fortunate to have The Zocchi’s as our neighbors.   Aldo would come by as we were building our house to see the progress and when it was finished he would take photos of the house during all 4 seasons and bring them over!  Being in their home is an invitation to a trip around the world.   Aldo’s stories, always entertaining and rich with details.  We’ll miss his warm greetings and his yearly gift of Sfumato!

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
-The Miles Family

We loved being Aldo and Enrica’s  neighbors.  Stopping by for a wonderful cup of expresso coffee and catching up about our kids was a release for me aster a busy day. I was so grateful they gave us fencing supplies when son, Lee, started fencing . 
Our deepest condolences to you all - Aldo was a wonderful friend.
Margaret and Wayne Thompson

I am very sad to receive this news and my condolences to the Zocchi family (also, I regret that I will not be able to attend the Funeral Mass on Monday). My fondest memories of Aldo are threefold: 
> First, sincere appreciation for his hospitality - every time I would visit the Zocchi home, during my annual trip to Dallas, he always welcomed me in and invited me to watch the television with him in the front living room and discuss current events (this was a delightful trend from years earlier as well, when I would come over to meet Alex in our high school and college days); 
> Second,  his stories of Italy and New York City left an impression - I have yet to visit Brooklyn (where he grew up) but I do think of the Zocchis every time I am in Manhattan with my own family, and I look forward to a trip to Italy within the next year!
> Third, our ongoing theological discussions regarding the Catholic faith and church history (especially Italian history) were always a delight.
You will be missed, good sir. And may your memory be eternal!

How richly blessed we have been to share time, friendship, faith, and laughter with all of the Zocchi family. Enrica and Aldo built, and enriched a fortress of a family which has impacted lives for generations. It is with joy, and  Covenant that we are ensured to embrace Aldo, now with Alex in Glory.
May God’s everlasting grace keep you, and abide in you, Kent, Christine, and Enrica.
Robert, Scott, and Brooks Higginbotham, (and Jane has already joined Aldo in his Great Reward.)

Aldo taking the photo while I was singing at mass.

Aldo scatta la foto mentre cantavo a messa.

Our Christmas dinner at Zocchi's house, December 27, 2023

La nostra cena di Natale a casa Zocchi, 27 dicembre 2023

Mi chiamo Omar. Ho avuto la benedizione e l'onore di imparare l'italiano con la professoressa Zocchi all'Università di Dallas. Grazie alla sua amicizia, ho conosciuto suo marito, Aldo. Nel corso degli anni, ho potuto condividere con loro, a casa loro, il cibo italiano più delizioso che abbia mai assaggiato. La gentilezza di Aldo è sempre stata speciale; ho sempre sentito non solo un'amicizia, ma una familiarità. Ogni volta che avevo l'opportunità di chiamarli, rispondevano entrambi al telefono contemporaneamente. Durante il periodo del COVID, la nostra comunicazione, tra una telefonata e l'altra, avveniva anche tramite la TV. Ogni domenica guardavano sempre la Messa della diocesi di Dallas. Ogni volta che cantavo l'offertorio e alcune Messe, Aldo scattava delle foto e me le inviava via WhatsApp. Sempre con grande gioia, insieme a Erica, mi diceva che il canto era venuto benissimo e che stavo benissimo con gli abiti che indossavo.

L'ammirazione che provo per Aldo trascende il tempo perché ho imparato da lui attraverso la sua saggezza e semplicità. È un uomo così onesto, pieno di vita. È vero che non è più qui fisicamente, ma la sua anima continua a godere della grazia del suo creatore. Aldo, grazie per avermi reso parte della tua vita, per la tua gentilezza e premura, per essere un uomo pieno di amore e pace.

Ti ricorderò sempre e farò tesoro di tutto ciò che ho imparato da te, che l'amore del Dio Uno e Trino e della nostra Santissima Madre ti accolga. Amen

My name is Omar. I had the blessing and honor of learning Italian with Professor Zocchi at the University of Dallas. Thanks to my friendship with her, I met her husband, Aldo. Over the years, I was able to share the most delicious Italian food I've ever tasted with them in their home. Aldo's kindness was always special; I always felt not only a friendship but a familiarity with them. Whenever I had the opportunity to call them, they both answered the phone at the same time. During the COVID era, our communication, between telephone calls, also took place via TV. Every Sunday they always watched the Dallas diocesan Mass. Every time I sang the offertory and some Masses, Aldo would take photos and send them to me via WhatsApp. Always with great joy, together with Erica, he would tell me that the song had turned out very beautiful and that I looked great in the clothes I was wearing.

The admiration I feel for Aldo transcends time because I have learned from him through his wisdom and simplicity. He is such an honest man, full of life. It's true that he is no longer physically here, but his soul continues to enjoy the grace of his creator. Aldo, thank you for making me a part of your life, for your kindness and concern, for being a man full of love and peace.

I will always remember you and treasure everything I learned from you, may the love of the Holy Trinity and Our Most Holy Mother receive you. Amen

Kent,

Gracious to the very last, your dad, along with your mom, always rolled out the red carpet for us as kids, and then as adults, even when we would show up with little notice. I always enjoyed hearing about their immensely interesting lives, told over good wine and food, even the grappa (wow!).

You’ve put on a master class these last few months in how to selflessly care for aging parents. God bless him, your mom, you, and all the Zocchis.

Best,
Andrew and Katrina Craycroft

Kent,

Your father is an inspiration for all of us.  And so are you.  You, always a high achiever and always modest about it all.  Thanks for your friendship.

CD

Wow, what a life. I grew up next door to Aldo and even as a kid and teen it was obvious he had such a rich experience of the world. He and his son Alex, RIP, enabled me to do a day experience at the Dallas FBI office, one of a few key experiences that led to me entering public service in my career. I still have the hat I got there and think of both of them when I see it (sadly I can't wear it in public--I chose a different agency in the end!)

He will be missed.

Estate 2017 - Dallas, Tx

Avete aperto le porte della vostra casa e, nonostante non ci fossimo mai visti prima di persona, ci avete fatto sentire in Famiglia. Dopo giorni on the road nel profondo Sud degli Stati Uniti, a Dallas abbiamo respirato aria di casa, aria italiana. Enrica ai fornelli, con i suoi aneddoti sugli studenti dell'Università, e Aldo curioso delle nostre esperienze, con una mente vivace che ci raccontava di posti lontani e ci aiutava a tradurre dal dialetto lombardo all'inglese. Sei stato la nostra guida per la città, dai luoghi simbolo della sua storia fino ad un gigantesco negozio di vini. Ti vediamo ancora salire e scendere con agilità dalla nostra Mustang a noleggio. Abbiamo sognato più volte di tornare a trovarvi, di farvi conoscere nostro figlio, ma la vita a volte ha piani diversi. Il tuo sorriso, Aldo, un po' commosso, mentre ci salutavi quell'ultimo giorno e scattavi qualche foto ricordo, sulla soglia di casa vostra, è tra le cose di te che ci resteranno per sempre.

Con grande affetto,
Marta & Oscar con Ettore

Caro zio, 
ti abbracciamo tanto e speriamo tu possa riposare in pace.
Ricorderò sempre la meravigliosa estate passata da voi a Dallas e le tue tante visite in Italia.
Stringiamo forte zia Enrica, Kent e i tuoi quattro nipoti.
Con tanto affetto, 

Anna, Felix, Filippo e Matteo

Le nostre più  sentite condoglianze a tutta la famiglia.  Ci dispiace tantissimo per la vostra perdita.
May your memories give you peace and confort.
Tino e famiglia .

I was just thinking of how I should visit the Zocchi’s soon and how they fostered my love for dried tortellini and the Wii. Aldo will be so missed and so cherished for generations to come. My condolences to all of the family, I hope to see you all so soon. 
All my love,
Leah Bradley

Theses pics were taken when Aldo and Enrica visited  me in Colorado. We had a wonderful time hiking and sightseeing ! Enrica, Kent and Christine and family, you have my deepest sympathies. With much love, Robin

Ciao zio Aldo, vogliamo ricordarti così.
Un abbraccio a tutta la famiglia ed in particolare alla tua cara Enrica.
Andrea e Arianna

I never had the chance to meet Aldo, my son Dante had the pleasure and he enjoyed their conversations and stories of Italy. He was able to polish his Italian with Aldo & Enrica. They welcomed him into their home like he was family. God Bless him, may he Rest in  Peace.

OBITUARY

Aldo Carl Zocchi

2 November, 1929 – 22 June, 2025

Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park

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Aldo Carl Zocchi

PRINCE OF PEACE PRIVATE ESTATE