Obituary of Robert James Rocco

Robert James Rocco, 89, passed away on April 13, 2026 after spending his final day watching the Masters Tournament, a favorite tradition he shared with his family, one last time.

On a sunny afternoon, you could usually find Rob out on the putting green with his son Bob or driving his grandchildren around in the backseat of his Volvo. He was always sharing stories – even though sometimes the details of those stories may have not passed a fact check.

Robert was born in Hazelton, Pennsylvania and later moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey where he graduated St. Patrick’s High School. He spent the rest of his years in the Garden State with his beloved wife, Christine. The two had a classic New Jersey love story. They met at the Jersey Shore, married at St. Vincent Martyr Church, and moved into a home in Madison. It had a lawn big enough for backyard baseball and a front porch shaded enough for reading mystery novels on a summer day. Together, they raised two children, Mary Teresa and Robert Philip. They cared for each other and their family.

Robert took pride in his work. He spent 35 years at Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals in Summit, NJ, ultimately rising up to become the Director of Purchasing. But a good time was never lost on him. He was known to frequent Atlantic City casinos and the Basking Ridge Country Club.

As his family grew, “Poppie” doted on his grandchildren Christine, William, and Kathleen by taking them to sporting events, New York City, or Costco. They were guaranteed to have a laugh and any flavor of ice cream… and whatever they wanted to buy, with his Amex card at the ready.

He is survived by his wife Christine, his son Robert and wife Suzanne, his grandchildren, Christine, William (Marissa), and Kathleen (Roman), along with his great-grandchildren Quinn & Theodore. He is now with his daughter, Mary Teresa, where they are likely catching up on all the stories of four generations of Rocco’s. But their family misses them terribly.

A Memorial Mass for Robert will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 10:00am at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Internment of Ashes will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to: The Mary Teresa Rocco Fitzsimons Scholarship Fund at Villa Walsh Academy, 455 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.

Arrangements are under the care of Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, Madison, NJ.