Joseph A LaRocca

March 19, 1932 - May 1, 2024

Joseph A LaRocca, 92 years passed May 1, 2024. Joseph was born March 19, 1932.

Joe was the sixth child of eight, born to Angelo and Giovanna LaRocca, Italian immigrants from Reggio Calabria who settled in South Philadelphia. The hard work and determination necessary for raising a family in America helped shape his life. His Roman Catholic faith and strong family ties were at the center of everything.

Joe attended school at Drexel Elementary, Barrett Jr. High, and South Philadelphia High School, and worked at various jobs including Crown Cork before he was drafted into the army during the Korean War. His experience in the army contributed to his strength of character, as well as skills with radio communications he would use later in life.  He studied electronics at Temple and began working at RCA in Camden, NJ in 1957.

He was introduced to the love of his life, Bernadette, in 1958, through Rita Daniszewski, the sister of Bernadette's deceased husband, at Al-Jo Dance Club in Mt. Ephraim, NJ. It was the beginning of a beautiful love story. In May 1960, Joe and Bernadette were married and he became an instant devoted father to her daughters, Jackie and Denise, who were also warmly embraced by his entire close-knit family. A daughter, Grace, blessed their lives in 1961 and the family was complete.

Joe's work transitioned several times throughout the evolution of RCA and included technical writing and education. Unfortunately, in 1989, Joe had a heart attack and bypass surgery, but worked for several more years until he retired from Unisys at age 62.

Throughout Joe and Bern's life together, life centered around the extended family, Gawronski, Daniszewski, and LaRocca, and included Sunday dinners and holiday barbecues with brothers sisters, nieces and nephews in their backyard in Bellmawr. They were members of the William Paca Lodge of the Sons of Italy, and were very active at Annunciation church. Joe held various leadership roles, including the Renew Program, teaching CCD, and preparing couples for marriage along with Bernadette. They were nominated and received a Bishop's Recognition award for their service.

Joe and Bern attended a Marriage Encounter weekend in 1975 and developed many friendships within that community. They became leaders and in their various roles traveled extensively to conferences at one point meeting the future Pope John Paul II and being in the presence of Mother Teresa.

As you can see it is difficult to write about Joe's life without including Bernadette. Shortly after her passing in 2017,  he had a stroke that left him needing daily assistance. His new home became Washington Township Senior Living where he thrived among new friends and greeted all with friendly hello's. He prayed daily and especially enjoyed Thursday afternoon entertainment, where he sang along and often danced.

Sadly, Joe began to decline in mid April 2024, and joined his parents, Bernadette, Jackie, his sisters, Annie, Antoinette, baby Yolanda, Grace, Josephine, and Yolanda, and friends and other family members who had passed before him to the care of the Lord on May 1, 2024. He has left us with life lessons in strength, resilience and determination, love and compassion for all, and most of all the importance of faith in God and family unity. Joe's chair is empty and he will be missed, but he will also be remembered for all that he has given to us.

Joe leaves behind his best friend and beloved brother Carmen, loving daughters, Denise Horton (husband Robert Craft) and Grace Parente (husband John), grandchildren Teresa Ferreiro, Gary Horton Jr, Amanda Horton- Gutierrez, Derrick Horton, Gianni Parente, and Valentina Parente, his great grandchildren Camilo and Diego Gutierrez, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Memorial Mass, in celebration of life, will be held on Thursday May 9th at Annunciation Church, St. Joachim  Parish in Bellmawr, NJ. Mass at 11am, 10:30am Greeting. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's name can be made to Samaritan Hospice.

Memories and condolences may be shared @ancscremation.com