Rocco George Rotello

Rocco G. Rotello, 91, of Westminster passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at his home in Westminster. Born May 27,1933 in Denver Colorado to Francisco Rotello and Maria (nee: Ruggiero) Rotello.

Preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Angelina Vecchiarelli, Joe Rotello, Tony Rotello, Romeo Rotello, Rosie Markoff, Jimmy Rotello, Louie Rotello, Jeanette Ponzio, Michael Rotello, Johnny Rotello. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Helen (nee: Markoff) Rotello along with his children, daughter Lillian Rotello (Tom Rankin), son Rocco Rotello (Linda), daughter Cheryl Rotello (Bess), son Tom Rotello (Jami), son Steve Rotello (Tammy) and Grandchildren Stephanie, Derrick, Patrick, Nicholas, Zachary, Lucas, Maria, Hanah, Roselen, TJ, Caleb, Tyler, Sophia, and numerous Great Grandchildren.

Visitation, Thursday December 12, 2024 from 4PM until 7PM at Olinger Funeral Home 10201 Grant St. Thornton, Colorado 80229. Friday December 13, 2024 there will be a Funeral mass at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church 2361 E 78th AVE. Denver, CO 80229 at 11AM and Burial immediately following at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.

STATEMENT/TRIBUTE:

It is with sorrow and sadness, Joy and Rejoicing that we announce the death of Rocco. A Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Friend, and the Man with a beautiful voice. Our PAPA will be missed.

Rocco George Rotello was born May 27th, 1933 in Welby Colorado in the home he would live in for the next 85 years. He was the youngest of 11 children and the only one from his family to graduate from high school, his siblings were required to work on the family farm and thus could not attend school into the later years. His family was deeply involved in everything at Assumption Catholic Church. Rocco was an altar boy and sang in the Choir where his voice was discovered and became a gem to be Cherished for years to come.

After Graduating from high school, Rocco was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War and was assigned to a transportation regiment. Fortunately, the Armistice was signed as he crossed the Pacific ocean enroute to Korea, and he saw limited battlefield action. While in Korea, Rocco was involved in a rollover accident in his Deuce and a half tractor trailer where he sustained a severely broken leg. He often talked about that accident, up until his death, and how his Company mates took care of him and supported him during that time. It influenced his actions for the rest of his life. Rocco’s generosity was birthed and shown during his stint in the Army, he sent most of his pay home to support his mother and Father back on the family farm in Welby. During his time in the Army he often sang and lifted the morale of his fellow troops. Rocco loved his Italian Heritage, but was so proud to serve his country in the Army.

Upon his discharge from the Army and subsequent return to his beloved Welby Colorado, Rocco was invited to compete in the Frankie Laine Talent Competition in New York City. His voice soared to first prize and awarded him with the opportunity of a career singing on Broadway. Ever a loyal family man, Papa chose to forgo his recognition and return home. As the youngest member of the family, Rocco had an especially close relationship with his mother and father. He loved and adored them, caring for them for the entirety of their lives.

Rocco was hired by Mountain Bell as a young man and would go on to spend a 30 year career climbing telephone poles across the state. He would eventually transition to construction foreman for the latter of his 30 years with the telephone company.

In 1958, Rocco met Helen Markoff and proposed to her in song as she was crowned the Sweetheart Queen. They were married on June 28th, 1958. They would spend the majority of their marriage at the farm on York Street where together they would raise their five children, care for Rocco’s father and mother, and welcome many grandchildren and great grandchildren. As husband and father, Rocco found all that he lacked in his unwavering wife, Helen and their devotion to the Catholic faith. Her steadfast determination and easy sense of humor kept Papa grounded and focused on the things he loved most.

Rocco loved his five children dearly. He had a unique and special relationship with each one of them. He shared a love of singing with his daughter Lillian, and was especially proud when she won the lead roles in many of her high school plays. He attended many of his son Rocco's football games at Chadron State University, and beamed with pride when Rocco finished a postdoctoral fellowship from Harvard. He shared an especially close bond with his daughter Cheryl. They were always similar in many ways, both family focused and fiercely loyal. Into his later years he and Cheryl were inseparable. A highlight of Rocco’s life was watching Air Force Academy football, especially while his son, Tom played. He enjoyed watching his son Steve on the basketball court both as a player and later as a successful coach. Rocco’s fierce sense of competition would emerge when he watched his children’s games. If the score did not land in his favor, it was either a fast clock or a bad call that cost them the game.

Rocco had a few nicknames: Rocco, Roxie, Babe, Uncle Babe, and PAPA. Many of his nieces and nephews whom he sang to and taught how to shoot guns and hunt pheasants called him by these endearing names.

Beside his family and wife, the love of his life was the family farm (THE GARDEN). He took great pride in everything he grew and it showed. The carrots were the sweetest and the peppers were the world’s best. You would be hard pressed to find a weed anywhere. You could always find his favorite tractor parked in his immaculately kept garage. Farming sustained him in his later years of life both mentally and physically.

Throughout his life Rocco was all about his community of Welby and his Church and his generosity toward them showed. Rocco served as an altar boy, Cantor, and sang in the Church’s choir well into his eighties. He often plowed everyone's driveway during a snowstorm or mowed an empty field when needed. Slipping the mailman, newspaper man or trash man an extra tip or a pack of Italian sausage was never out of the question.

Rocco joins the heavenly choirs of angels with his passing from this world. Those of us left here on earth must know the way to hear his beautiful voice again. He joins his Lord in heaven because of his faith. He believed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was payment for his salvation, the same can be true for us. Sing, Papa! Rocco, Roxie, Babe, Dad, SING! PAPA SING!

Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s foundation.

A viewing and visitation for Rocco will be held Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229. A Mass of Christian burial will occur Friday, December 13, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 2361 E 78th Ave, Denver, CO 80229. A graveside service will occur Friday, December 13, 2024 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236.

A tribute video can be viewed at the following link, https://vimeo.com/67443601

The eulogy given at Rocco Rotello's Funeral Mass was given by his son, Steve Rotello, can be heard at

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vL8hXErKbsK_k6g2sfAeSO_-5isuGuZP/view?usp=drive_link

To our many friends and acquaintances, we thank you for your love and support during this difficult time.