Rocco F. DeNicolis

On February 25, 2016, Rocco F. DeNicolis, 94; beloved husband of the late Rosmunda DeNicolis (nee Ciuffi); devoted father of Antonio (wife Gail), Nicoletta Panuska (husband David), Francis (wife Heidi), and Carlo (wife Susan); loving grandfather of 9 grandchildren (David and Daniel Panuska; along with Jinah and Roberto; Katherine, Michael, and Alyssa; and Eric and Michelle DeNicolis) and 2 great-grandchildren (David and Natalia Panuska); dear brother of 7 siblings (Vitalina Vicoli, Grazia Daniele, Angelo DeNicolis, and the late Anna Iacoboni, Giuseppe DeNicolis, Teresa Natale, and Donato DeNicolis); and cherished son of the late Antonio and Michelina (D'Annunzio) DeNicolis.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc. 9705 Belair RD, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Tuesday March 1st from 3-5 and 7-9pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10am at the funeral home. Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Foundation 5601 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21239 or https://www.giving.medstarhealth.org/Page.aspx?pid=204. Please designate to Cancer Center Expansion Campaign in Honor/Memory Of: Rocco & Rosmunda DeNicolis.

Online tributes may be left for the family at www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com

EULOGIES:

to: Rocco Francesco DeNicolis

1) Antonio (Tony) DeNicolis

Dear Dad,

It has been difficult to watch your health deteriorate over the past few years, as your body was slowly failing you. But I am grateful that your mind remained as sharp as ever, allowing you to clearly communicate with us to the very end. It was comforting to know that you were at peace in your final days, as you expressed gratitude for such a long and fortunate life. You honored Mom as the love of your life, and also voiced appreciation for the devotion of your children and extended family, along with the enjoyment derived from the company of your many friendships, stretching from childhood through those recently encountered in your new home at the OakCrest retirement community. There was no fear or bitterness, just a quiet readiness and willingness to be with Mom once more.

As a child, I was in awe of your physical strength, determination, resilience, and resourcefulness. As I grew older, I learned to admire the uncomplicated common sense knowledge that you were able to impart. Although your formal education was limited, I respected your consistent ability to simplify my thought process in attempting to address the most complicated of situations. For example, when I complained of what I considered to be the excessive attention required in attending to the relentlessness exhibited by my young son after his arrival, you simply asked, “You wanted to be called Daddy, didn’t you?” A learned pediatrician or psychologist might have suggested my reading certain books regarding successful childrearing techniques. Instead, your approach reminded me that many responsibilities (and satisfaction) come with the distinction of being a father.

During your last few months and weeks, I truly enjoyed the time we spent together. Cutting your hair brought back childhood memories of you doing the same for me. Helping my siblings care for you reminded me of how you and Mom were always there for us, not necessarily giving us what we may have wanted, but always what we needed. I may not have shown my appreciation then for your selfless efforts; but, as a father myself now, I have come to a better understanding of the many challenges you faced. Even with the benefit of more education, I can only hope to come close to the high standard you have set as a father raising a family.

I am proud to say that I am your son. As your first child, I am honored to be the one that made you a father. You are my hero. I miss you terribly, but am consoled by the recognition that you are now reunited with Mom. I will love you always,

Tony

2) Nicoletta (Nikki) Panuska

One of eight siblings, Dad was born in San Salvo, Italy where he worked long hours on the farm.

In 1954, my father migrated to Baltimore with his wife and two children in search of work in order to support his family. Dad worked as a bricklayer for several different construction companies and he always presented a strong work ethic (arriving to work every day on time, didn't matter if it was bad weather or if he was sick). This is one of the greatest qualities that he taught me.

My father knew what he wanted, and wanted no less. Vegetables had to be well cooked to the point of mush; or, using his terminology, it tasted stupid. Some foods had to be bought at specific stores: bread from Shoppers, oranges from Mars, and soda from Food Lion.

We never had to guess what was on dad's mind, he had no filters! Dad made it a point to treat each child's spouse and grandchild just as his own child; everyone got their equal share of tough love. He was a strict father with a big heart. He was very stern, but at the same time, wanted to help us in any way possible. We had a hill in our back yard that took away much of the usable space. We mentioned to dad that we were thinking about cutting into the hill and putting in a retaining wall. Within a few days, he came by and dug half of the hill out (which was mostly one big rock) with a pick mattock; he was in his 70's.

Family was his life. He was very passionate about having his family around him, and expected visits or calls often. We made a point to visit on Wednesdays; if we did not show up, we got a phone call!

Dad enjoyed gardening, watching wrestling, playing cards, listening to Italian music, and watching Italian TV. My father had a green thumb; he planted tomato plants, eggplants, string beans, zucchini, and peppers, along with apple, peach, and fig trees. He helped mom make tomato sauce and ravioli from scratch. We all enjoyed the fruits of his labor!

Dad made the money, and expected mom to take care of cooking and household chores. Even though my father struggled with pain and walking during his last few years, he still managed to take over the chores and care for mom when she was unable to take care of herself.

I will miss you and you will remain in my heart forever. Love you dad!

Nikki

3) Francis (Frank) DeNicolis

Rocco DeNicolis. What a good name!

That's what my friends would say when they heard it for the first time. More importantly, after anyone got to meet and really know him, they would know that he was also a good man. Maybe rough around the edges outside, but inside, Dad was ALL HEART, always deeply concerned about everyone's well-being.

It's well known that Dad was all about FAMILY. Dad shared a close bond with his siblings, cousins and their families not only here in America, but also in Italy and Australia. Dad's circle of friends through the years seemed to be quite impressed by his relationships. Our sincere gratitude to all friends and family for their affectionate thoughts and kind sentiments of Dad... and Mom. Lovingly together for a lifetime, together again, reunited for eternity.

Dad didn't exercise as we think of it today, but kept himself in tip-top shape for years with plenty of physical activity. He consistently seemed to find work to do around the house. Recalling with fondness, those early morning wake-up surprises on weekends...his house or yours, Dad would get us started on a project or task that required attention... another one of Dads lessons for a strong work ethic.

Climbing high, on tall trees to trim branches... with a chainsaw... while in his 70's!... it seems that Dad was constantly defying his age! With a powerful determination, once Dad set his mind on something, one way or another, it was going to get done. We all know about his perseverance.

He was always very proud of his work. Years ago, as Dad would drive our family through various parts of the Baltimore area, he would love to point out and tell stories about the many job sites where he honed his craft. Dad was a skilled bricklayer, and that's what put bread on the table for his family. Demanding work, yet Dad derived the most satisfaction working at his house, his property, his land.

Dad was a farmer at heart, a man that appreciates the basic concept of hard work and its reward. Every springtime 'til fall meant a new garden taking over a large portion of the backyard. He was so adept at gardening that he probably could have planted a fig tree at the North Pole and have it bear fruit!

In reality, he knew that if you gave to the earth, it would give back to you in return. The way that the earth would respond to the farmer, is how Dad raised his family. Observing Dad while he set an example is inspiring in retrospect. Dad loved to work the ground, sew seeds, plant trees, tend to his garden, prune branches, encourage their growth then have the satisfaction of watching his plants flourish with bountiful crops of various vegetables and fruits.

I think that Dad, and Mom, pretty much felt the same way about their children: Tony, Nikki, Carl and me... Although, I still haven't figured out whether we're tomato's or green peppers!

As we were born, as we grew, as we flourished, that pride and satisfaction that goes along with being a farmer also goes along with being a parent... and a good father.

Thank you for being my Dad, I love you,

Frank

4) Carlo DeNicolis

Our family would like to thank everyone for your kindness and support through this difficult time. With great sadness in my heart, I will dearly miss dad. Dad lived a very good life, enjoying 67 years of marriage with mom. He had a full life surrounded by a loving family and friends. He truly loved his family: 4 children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. He was able to experience so much in life, mostly good and some bad.

It was especially difficult for him to lose mom a few years ago, but dad was able to show amazing strength, courage, and resilience. I hope that I am able to learn these lessons from dad. Moving to the Oak Crest Retirement Community was a big change for him. Living independently in his apartment, doing his own laundry, and eating out almost every night, was all new to a man in his 90’s. Thanks to the “gang” for allowing dad to be a member in your loving and incredibly friendly group. All of you allowed this transition to be much easier for him.

Dad learned at a very young age, the value of a strong work ethic and the importance of family while growing up in the village of San Salvo, Italy. He would work long, hard days on his family’s farm, while enjoying the benefits of a small friendly village where all in the community knew one another. Dad’s intelligence always amazed me, even though he had limited formal education. I would match his savvy to many others with more education than him.

As a young man, his country called on him, along with two of his three brothers to fight for the Italian army in World War II. Uncle Don spent much of the war in Russia, Uncle Joe in Germany, and dad was captured as a prisoner of war in Africa. Dad spent much of the war as a POW in America. He was visited by his cousins from New York and his sister Anna’s family from Baltimore. In a “daring escape” from the POW camp, he spent a few days with family, only to sneak back onto the base in time for roll call. Dad was proud to share these stories with his children, grandchildren, and nephews. Dad’s stories always remained very consistent, but seldom ventured into the true horrors of war. Our family is very grateful for our cousins spending precious time with mom and dad.

Returning to San Salvo after the war, dad bent the rules in courting mom. The way I understand it, dad broke protocol by approaching mom’s father to inquire about her. Dad’s own father was supposed to facilitate a meeting with mom’s father. In the end, all worked out well and dad made my mom’s father a promise to move his bride to America. After a few years and following the births of Tony and Nikki, dad kept his promise. By this time, dad was in his young thirties, with a wife and two children. He was ready to begin a new life with a different culture and language. Quite the challenge, but dad had the strength and courage to succeed. He also relied on the love of his family. Soon the family expanded with the births of Frank and me.

We’re all aware that dad could be tough on us sometimes, often speaking to us without the use of a filter, but we always knew there was no lack of love. In retrospect, and with a new perspective as a father myself, it’s easier to understand that being a parent is full of difficult decisions. Of course, I developed a new respect for dad. Dad would give us a hard time for not calling up as often as he would have liked. When we did call, it was usually a brief conversation to see that our families were doing well. All he really wanted from us was to say hello. I wish I still could make those phone calls.

I really miss you. Thanks for everything dad. Give mom a hug and a kiss from all of us. I love you dad,

Carlo

5) David Panuska

I'm a second generation Italian immigrant. My grandparents came over to America on a boat in the early 50's along with my mother and eldest uncle. My grandfather fought for Italy in World War II, and surrendered to the American army as a prisoner of war.

After the war, he eventually left Italy on borrowed money to start a new life here in America with his family.

He worked with his hands as a brick layer, he was a skilled gardener, and he was rough around the edges. He told you things as he saw them with his old world eyes, and although it came across as brash, he always did it with the best of intentions. He worked hard, and needed very little; he was a provider first and foremost. He was principled, and stubborn to the end. He was a loving husband, who really only wore his love for his wife on his sleeve during the last days of my grandmother's life.

He is the toughest man I've ever seen, a man while well into his 70's chopped firewood, had a full garden with tomatoes, basil, and zucchini; shoveled his snow covered drive way before his teenage grandson even made it over to help; dug out a rock filled hill up to a 4 foot height by hand with a Maddox; loaded trunks full of manure and mulch with shovels and wheel barrows. I can't imagine how unstoppable he was in his prime. He slowed down physically into his 90's of course, but his mind was still as sharp as ever.

He, and my grandmother were the nucleus of the family, they were the ultimate team. We all miss their little bickering arguments in broken English and Italian. They were adorable, and unforgettable; and now may they rest in peace together. I will forever long for mom mom's sauce with pop pop's tomatoes and basil.

Ti amo, riposare in pace,

David Panuska

6) Gail DeNicolis

All of you need to know how much Rocco (Pop) was at peace with his life. On his last Sunday, Tony and I were visiting with him at the hospital, enjoying a very insightful conversation. Pop was telling us how fortunate he was to have such a loving wife like Rosmunda, caring children (and spouses), terrific grandchildren, a great extended family, and wonderful friends throughout his life. He even mentioned his new little family of friends at the OakCrest retirement community, and how he had grown to look forward to dining with “the gang” each evening.

Not many of us get such a rare opportunity, like Tony and I did, to hear directly from a person soon to leave this world, telling us how he feels about his life. My Mom died suddenly with a massive heart attack, and my Dad lingered for three years with Alzheimer’s Disease before passing. Therefore, I was sadly unable to have a similar conversation with either of my parents.

I need to tell Pop’s four children how wonderful all of you were, as you rallied to care for him during these last two years, following Mom Rosmunda’s passing. There was never anything Pop asked for that you did not go out of your way to get for him. You were all so devoted and were wonderful to him. I know that meant so much to him.

As we drove home from the hospital visit that Sunday evening, I told Tony that if Pop left us that night, he was leaving as a man at peace with his life. What a wonderful gift!

Gail