Roy Daniel da Roza Sr.

Roy D. daRoza, Sr. (Dan), passed away on April 28, 2020 at the age of 90, after a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of Mary Connick daRoza, for 67 years. He was the son of the late Ernest Daniel daRoza, and Addie Sills daRoza, and the brother of the late Jean Marie daRoza Rogers. He was the proud father of 5 children: Kathleen Bruce, Roy daRoza (Margie), Addie Scullin (Dan), Ann Avallone (Tony), and Mary Kay Sonnier (John), and the loving grandfather of twelve grandchildren, Jennifer Morrison, Jason Bruce, Stephanie Purvis, Paul daRoza, Lindsey Marion, Justin daRoza, Emily Scullin, Daniel Scullin, Stephen Avallone, Mary Avallone, Hayden Sonnier, and Nathan Sonnier, and 13 great grandchildren. Dan was born on December 29, 1929, in Miami, Florida, and moved to New Orleans in 1938, where he became a lifelong resident. He attended Warren Easton High School, graduating in 1946, and graduated from LSU in 1951 in Business Administration. Outside of his family, service to his country was his most prideful accomplishment. At the age of 22, he enlisted in the Army, completing basic training at Fort Chaffey, Arkansas, in the artillery. After basic training, he completed leadership school at Fort Chaffey, and then went on to Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia. It was here that he attended jump school, and received his wings as a paratrooper. He was assigned to the 508th airborne regiment combat team, prior to being sent overseas to Korea. In Korea he was assigned to the 15th infantry regiment, third infantry division, as a First Lieutenant, where he earned a bronze star. Integrated into the 15th infantry was a battalion of Greek soldiers. He became such good friends with these soldiers, that he received a special citation, making him an honorary member of the Greek Army. He later received the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal, awarded to him by Governor Bobby Jindal. After being honorably discharged he returned home, and worked for R.V. Whittaker, as an accountant. He eventually went on to open Tropical Rattan Furniture Store, where he worked until retirement. Dan was a family man and loved family vacations in Suches, Georgia with the Paul Connick, and the Wayne Rogers families. He loved Mardi Gras and attending parades at the invitation of his dear friend, Steve Enright, on Mardi Gras Day. He always looked forward to the spring, and the annual family crayfish boil, at the “Avallone Park”. Dan also loved the game of bridge and poker, and cherished the many friendships made while sitting at a card table. He always enjoyed the years spent as part of a gourmet club, with a small group of very close friends, that always had a good time together. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling abroad with his wife, Mary. He also spent time volunteering at the World War II Museum; Meals on Wheels; and at the Jefferson Parish Library. Dan was the ultimate Saints fan, which lasted until the day before he died, as he asked through his oxygen mask, “Who did the Saints draft”? Dan was loved by many, and will be forever missed. Due to COVID, there will be a memorial celebration of his life, at a later date.