Etolo Rocconi

"Etolo Rocconi" IRON MOUNTAIN - Etolo F. "Rac" Rocconi, 91, of 543 Detroit Ave., Iron Mountain, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at Florence Villa Nursing Home with his wife, Christine, by his side. He was born Oct. 10, 1913, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Frank and Maria (Filosofi) Rocconi. Rac was a lifelong resident of Iron Mountain and a graduate of Iron Mountain High School where he excelled in music as a trumpet player. He was a distinguished member of the U.S. Army band in Fort Bragg, N.C. during World War II. It was there that he met and married Christine Smith on March 28, 1946. After the war, Rac was instrumental in forming the Dickinson County Area Band which he directed for 23 years. He worked as a supervisor for the Iron Mountain Post Office until his retirement in 1971. Rac was a member of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church and a longtime member of the Lions Club. He enjoyed reading, fishing, woodworking and walking. Rac was a devoted and loving spouse, father and grandfather. Fondly remembered as the "Music Man," he often said, "music was good to me." Rac is survived by his wife of 59 years, Christine; a son, Charles Rocconi of Traverse City, lower Michigan; three daughters, Joanne (Michael) Bowen of Boulder, Colo., Patricia Nemode of Traverse City and Janet (Michael) Froze of Cedarburg, Wis.; a sister, Inez Bugni of Iron Mountain; seven grandchildren, Matthew, Daniel, Benjamin, Rachael, Emily, David and Scott; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Angelo, Albert and Ludwig; and two sisters, Helen and Esther. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home and 10 a.m. at St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Fr. Daniel Zaloga will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. Pallbearers will be Charles Smith, Stephen McPhail, Eugene Tomassucci, Louis Pucci Jr., Theodore Pucci and Roger Rocconi. Tom Bugni will serve as the lector during Mass. Donations can be made in his name to the restoration fund of St. Mary and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Etolo "Rac" Rocconi online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Etolo Rocconi

October 10, 1913 - February 8, 2005