Petrina Zocco (Laraia)

Petrina Laraia Zocco, of Rocky Hill, wife of 65 years to Chet Zocco Sr., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday (February 21, 2012). She was born in Hartford to the late Gennaro and Maria (LaCava) Laraia in a family of 14 children and was a graduate of Bulkeley High School. Petrina was a parishioner of Saint Elizabeth Seton Church in Rocky Hill, and was known for her beautiful singing voice as well as for her phenomenal cooking. She was devoted to her family and remained a true lady throughout her entire life. In addition to her husband, Petrina is survived by two sons and a daughter, Tom Zocco, Chet Zocco Jr. and his wife Janet, and Michelle Fortunato and her husband Michael, all of Rocky Hill. She also leaves behind five loving grandchildren, Steven Zocco and his wife Erin of Tolland, Bryan Zocco and his wife Kelly of Wayland, MA, Jim Zocco of Medford, MA, Melanie Fortunato-Abissi and her husband C.R. of Wallingford, and Melissa Fortunato of Rocky Hill, along with seven cherished great-grandchildren, Jack, Cole, Nick, Jake, Emma and Grace Zocco, and Sofia Abissi. Petrina is also survived by four sisters and a brother, Eleanor Bonadies of Windsor Locks, Carmela LeConche of Wethersfield, Louise Pistorio of Stuart, FL, Theresa Zisk of West Hartford, and James Laraia and his wife Jeannine of Punta Gorda, FL; sisters-in-law Julie Laraia of West Hartford, Lucy Zocco of Newington, and Linda Zocco of East Hartford; brothers-in-law Paul Zocco and his wife Carol of Enfield, and James Zocco of Stuart, FL, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters Rose Bonadies and Anna Veniscofsky, and brothers Pasquale, Rocco, Anthony, Dominic, Frank and John Laraia. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Middlesex Hospital Hospice and Palliative Care Unit for the excellent care they provided at this time. As per Petrina’s request, there are no calling hours. Private burial will be at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Petrina’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 ([email protected]). For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.