Wayne Joseph Larocca

Wayne Joseph “Rocc” LaRocca passed away on Monday, December 14th, after a month long battle with pneumonia and complications. He was at South Austin Hospital in Austin, Texas, with his loving wife of 10 years, Gina Garza; his eldest son, Aaron "Bud" LaRocca; and his youngest daughter, Kayla "Baby Girl" LaRocca.

Rocc was born and raised in South Austin, Texas. He was in a rock band with high school friends, playing the drums. He sat in for Steve Ray Vaughn once. He played football for Coach Darrell Royal at the University of Texas-Austin for three weeks, ending in a shattered shoulder. Rocc was a commercial electrician and lived in Texas, Arizona and Washington. Rocc coached baseball and soccer for many years, even for teams other than his children’s. He was raised a Catholic as his Italian father desired.

Rocc’s passion was cooking, especially barbeque. He was master photographer. He did woodwork from hope chests to a house, which cost him two ½ fingers in retirement. He loved music and people, making so many friends. Also, we were involved in two democratic clubs with many more friends.

Rocc is preceded in death by his father, Venson Joseph LaRocca, Jr. He leaves behind his wife, Gina (G. J.) Garza of Austin, TX; mother, B. Faye LaRocca of Bastrop, TX; stepdaughter, Timeri Morin of Gilbert, AZ; son, Aaron W. LaRocca, his two children: Ava and Luke of Gilbert, AZ; daughter, Alisa R. LaRocca, her children: Kaiden and Kailor Jones, of Mesa, AZ; son, Nicolaus J. R. LaRocca of College Station, TX; and daughter, Kayla Rae LaRocca of Killeen, Texas.