Morris Park residents were in mourning last week over the passing of a lifelong resident who was considered the heart of the Morris Park community.
Rocco “Rocky” Miano passed away on Thursday, November 5. He was 78 years old.
A Bronx boy through and through, Rocky came to Morris Park as a mere infant when his parents moved into a home on Colden Avenue. Rocky met his wife in 1954 at an Allerton Club dance and three years later married Cathy, a neighborhood girl from Nell Avenue.
For three years the couple lived in Long Beach, Long Island but discovered that there was no place like Morris Park and found a house on Hone Avenue. Rocky worked briefly as a milkman before he began a full-time career in the construction industry. No matter what job he held, he always had time for his community and his family.
A true family man, Rocky had two children, Vickie Ann Soracco and Rocco Miano, daughter-in-law, Jo Ann Miano, and six grandchildren, Nicholas and Nelson Soracco, and Rocco, Samantha, Toniann and Michael Miano. Rocky also had nine siblings.
“I knew Rocky for about 30 years but he had been in community since he was practically born,” said Al D’Angelo, president of the Morris Park Community Association. “As tough as he may have looked, he always had candy in his pocket for the kids and they loved him.”
According to his wife, Cathy, one of Rocky’s favorite passions was the time spent with his family. He often took them to the Jersey Shore and treated his children and grandchildren to ice cream in the neighborhood, she said.
Rocky was dedicated to his local school and church, serving as an usher at St. Clare’s Parish for more than 35 years. He was president of the St. Clare’s Fathers Club for many years, organizing dances and activities for children and raising money for the school.
“[The St. Clare’s Fathers Club] purchased the school its own library and ran tons of activities and fun events.
Rocky also felt the need to help and protect his neighbors. He was an active member of the Morris Park Community Association, and a devoted civilian patrol member.
“He had what I would describe as quiet courage,” Senator Jeff Klein said. “He really cared deeply about his community, [and was] someone you could always count on as far as doing something for the community. He was never in it for the credit, just there to do the work and enhance the neighborhood.”
Rocky’s wake was held at John Dormi & Sons Funeral Home on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8. According to Cathy, the lines stretched around the block with people waiting to pay their respect.
“We all loved him very much and miss him very much already,” Cathy said.
