Rocco Clement Risbara, Jr.

Born in Portland in 1943 to Rocco C. Sr., and Mary (Bellino) Risbara. Rocco was a Cheverus High School Class of 1961 graduate. Rocco started his business, R. Risbara Construction Co., Inc., in April 1968 with Marcia and his father’s help. They built it into a successful business now called Risbara Bros. Construction, Inc. based in Scarborough. In addition, he and Marcia started and ran Maine Properties Inc. and Agency 1 Real-Estate. The companies grew along with the growth of the town of Scarborough, and he was responsible for building many homes and neighborhoods in Scarborough, as well as other areas throughout greater Portland.

He built his businesses and his family with the support of his wife and with a strong faith. Rocco was a founding member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Scarborough and was instrumental in the planning and building of the church and parish community. He and Marcia donated the Risbara family chapel at St. Maximilian Kolbe. He was also most proud of his participation in the Brentwood Farms Community Garden, which was on the site of his grandfather’s former farm, in the city of Portland.

He was a communicant of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, and a life- long member of the Italian Heritage Center.

While building his family, faith community, and family businesses, Rocco was a generous but independent spirit who enjoyed his family in Scarborough and also at their family camp on Eustis Ridge. Many friends learned how to ride snowmobiles and ATV’s, at that camp, and all enjoyed terrific meals at the round table. Like everything he had, it was shared with others. He and Marcia spent winters in Punta Gorda, Florida in his partial retirement, and enjoyed friends, boating and their beloved Corvettes of Charlotte County Club, but the lure of his family and the family business always brought him home to Scarborough in the spring, ready to take on a project. He enjoyed old cars and was very proud of the numerous vehicles he and Marcia restored together. His shop was always open and available to help others and he spent many hours working on vehicles belonging to friends and family who needed help. Helping people, fixing things, teaching his ways of doing things and telling stories were daily occurrences for him. He was a friend and mentor to many.

He was predeceased by his parents, his Sister Concetta and her husband Joe Pallotta, his

brother Peter Risbara, his father-in-law John Rico, his brother- in-law Jack Rico, and his nephew Stephen Pallotta, as well as many beloved aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Marcia (Rico) Risbara. Together, he and Marcia built a large and loving family and are the proud parents of: Rocco (Roccy) III and wife Mary Jane; William (Billy) and wife Lisa; Marc and wife Lisa; and daughter Leanne and husband Bob Dehler. Together they had 13 wonderful grandchildren of whom they are enormously proud, Maria, Ashley, Rocco IV, Garrett, John, Micaela, Marco, Marisa, Serina, Maggie, Lydia, Nick and Joseph. He is also survived by his sisters and their spouses, Carmel and Lou Croce, and Sandra and David St. Clair, and sister-in-law Candy Risbara, as well as his mother-in-law Theodora Rico, sister-in-laws and spouses, Marilee and Jim Pandiscio, all of the greater Portland area; and Rosemary Rico and husband Billy Hodge of Gibsonton, Florida. In addition to many nieces and nephews, Rocco is survived by a large contingent of former employees, friends, and associates too numerous to mention, all saddened by his passing, yet joyful to have been a part of his life.

The family would like to thank the staff at Maine Center for Cancer Medicines, as well as VNA Home Health Hospice, and their Life Stages division, for the professional, compassionate care that he received.

Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Wednesday March 19, 2014 from 3 to 7 PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street.

Prayers will be recited Thursday March 20, 2014 at 9:30AM at the funeral home to be followed by a Con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. For further information and to leave a tribute in memory of Rocco please visit www.jonesrichhutchins.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Maine Cancer Foundation Tri for a cure. Several of his granddaughters and a daughter in law have formed a team, Papas Girls, to participate.