Rocco Lacertosa

Rocco Lacertosa, 91, passed away on September 21, 2018, in Neptune, NJ. Mr. Lacertosa was born in Tricarico, Italy, and emigrated to the United States through Ellis Island with his mother and brother when he was only 18 months old. Mr. Lacertosa grew up in Staten Island and attended McKee High School, but left school in 1943 and began working in a picture framer factory to support his family. Mr. Lacertosa then enlisted in the United States Army on May 28, 1945, and deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations with the 1732nd Engineers Service Company, as part of the US Army's Persian Gulf Command. While deployed, Mr. Lacertosa conducted engineering and construction operations in what is now Iraq and Iran, and later spent time in Northern Africa. Mr. Lacertosa attained the rank of Corporal, was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal, and received an Honorable Discharge on October 31, 1946. Upon his return from World War II, Rocco married the love of his life, Marie, and with son Rocco and daughter Barbara Anne, raised and supported his family in Staten Island. In addition to again serving as a member of the US Navy Reserve, Mr. Lacertosa worked as a foreman for City of New York Highway Division and, after his civil service retirement, as a maintenance supervisor for Bank of Commerce in Manhattan and the Bank of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Lacertosa then retired to the Poconos for 22 years, where Rocco enjoyed his final employment working as a machinist for Instrument Specialties, Inc. Ultimately Mr. Lacertosa and his wife retired to Manchester, NJ, where he was an active participant in the Leisure Knoll Veterans Group and American Legion Post 502. Mr. Lacertosa was also proud to have received from the Russian Government the "Commemorative Medal of the 40th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriot War (WWII)", and was later honored by receiving a 50-year certificate as a member of the American Legion. Rocco Lacertosa was known by all as a stand-up guy who did the right thing and expected the same from those around him, and was gifted in fixing or repairing any known mechanical, plumbing, electrical, or structural issue. He enjoyed riding horses in his youth, traveling with his wife, caring for his fruit trees in the Poconos, and taking fishing trips into the Atlantic with his son, son-in-law, and grandsons. He was a loving husband, devoted father, caring and kind grandfather, beloved great-grandfather (Pop-Pop), and favorite uncle to his many nieces and nephews, and will be greatly missed by all. Mr. Lacertosa is predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Marie Lacertosa, his parents, Giuseppe and Louisa, and brothers Pasquale Lacertosa, Anthony Lacertosa, and Joseph Lacertosa. Rocco is survived by his son, Rocco Lacertosa Jr. and his wife Darlene, daughter, Barbara Anne Brady and her husband George (Jake), seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, sisters Louise Anderson and Carmella Iasiuolo, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at D'Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 9:15AM at St Aloysius Church of Jackson, NJ. Entombment will take place at St. Catherine's Mausoleum of Moscow, PA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Rocco's memory to the American Legion, at https://www.members.legion.org/tal/donatenow.