That word – supermelagorgeous – is something you heard often when you spent time around Peter. It is what he would say when anyone asked him how he was doing, and it means fantastic, awesome, super and tremendous all rolled into one word. That was not the only unusual and sometimes nonsensical word that Peter used, all in an effort to get a laugh and put you at ease.
How are things in Glocca Morra? (How are things going for you?)
Hunky-dory. (Great)
Howdy-doody. (Hello)
Peter said howdy-doody to the world on March 12, 1929, as the first of parents Angelina and Vincenzo DiRocco’s eventual five children. As a kid he developed a love of swimming, spending a lot of time goofing around with his siblings and friends in the Charles River.
After high school Peter worked as an oiler for four years with the railroad and a punch press operator for two years before being drafted by the United States Army in 1951. He served stateside during the Korean War, working as a company fireman, construction worker and lifeguard.
He also played football as an offensive lineman before his honorable discharge in 1953.
Peter enjoyed trips to Miami Beach, where he earned the nickname the Lamplighter because he was always quick with a match to light up the ladies’ smokes.
He wasn’t quite as quick when it came to courtship, though. He finally asked out Bernadette Lessard after living next to her for more than a decade in Allston, Massachusetts, and the two married on May 4, 1968.
Michael was born in February 1970 and Paul in May 1972. The family resided in Allston and Waltham, Massachusetts, until July 1980, when they moved to Orlando and shortly thereafter Casselberry, Florida. Peter worked as a machinist for multiple companies – including the creator of ShowBiz Pizza, a competitor of Chuck E. Cheese – before retiring at age 62.
Peter and Bernadette moved to Winter Park shortly after. Bernadette died on Aug. 1, 2006, after a lengthy battle with several illnesses. Peter moved to Middleburg, Florida, for a year before settling in DeLand in February 2020.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Joseph DiRocco and sisters Theresa DiRocco and Marie Morris. He is survived by his brother Jimmy DiRocco (Ruth), sons Michael (Jeanette) and Paul (Jennifer) DiRocco, grandsons Max and Ben (Annie) DiRocco, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Visitation for Peter will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 994 E ALTAMONTE DR, ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL 32701. A Funeral Service will occur Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 12:00 PM.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5