Rocco Lodise

Rocco J. Lodise was born in Philadelphia on January 6th, 1919 and passed away peacefully on June 11th, 2023.  He was 104 years old.

 

Predeceased by his beloved wife, Edna Mae Murphy-Lodise, commonly known to their many friends as “Ginger”.  Son of Italian immigrants, the late Pietro and Teresa Micciolo-Lodise.

 

Father of Patrick Lodise, Virginia, and the late Michael and Charles.  He was also predeceased by his brothers, Pasquale, Michael, John, Joseph, and sisters, Mary, Virginia, Victoria, and Angela.

 

Rocco will be remembered by his family, friends, many nephews, nieces, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

 

He grew up in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and was a veteran of World War II.  He served in the US Army Engineers in the European theatre in Greenland from 1943-1946. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Technical SGT Grade T-4. Rocco was one of five brothers that served their country.  The four oldest served in World War Il and the oldest was killed in France. The youngest brother Michael was a 27-year retired Air Force Sergeant and served in the Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC).  Michael was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam era.  Rocco was very proud of their service to the country.

 

Rocco worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years until his retirement and was a member of Saint Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church and Saint Bartholomew's Senior Club from 1981 until the club disbanded.

 

He also spent many years during Sunday service serving as an usher. He was a long-time member of the Northeast Older Adult Center, Lower Mayfair Center, and the Juniata Park Older Adult Center.  One of his favorite activities was as a line dance instructor at these centers.

 

He loved to dance and started ballroom dancing before WWII in 1937. This was the era in which “dime-a-dance” is associated. In the 50s and 60s, the Jitterbug was his favorite.

He and his wife enjoyed traveling. 

 

His secret to a long life, he always said was, "enjoy life and keep dancing.”

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery Hospice, Casey House, 6001 Muncaster Mill Rd., Rockville, MD, 20855.

 

A viewing for family and friends will be held Monday June 26th from 10 AM to 11 AM in St. Bartholomew’s Church 5600 Jackson Street, Philadelphia.  His Funeral Mass will begin 11 AM and burial will follow in Forest Hills Cemetery,  Huntingdon Valley, PA  (When you arrive at church please park in the rear parking lot. You may enter the lot off of Cheltenham Avenue, and enter the church from that parking lot)

 

Arrangements by McCafferty Sweeney Slabinski Barnes Funerals and Cremations of Torresdale Avenue, 215.333.0500.