Obituary of Rocco A Mesagna Sr.

Rocco A. Mesagna, Sr., 90, of Verona, NY, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023 at Rome Health with his loving children by his side. He was born in Rome, NY on November 24, 1932, son of the late Antonio and Lucia Palmadesso Mesagna. Rocco attended Rome schools and graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1952 where he excelled in football and baseball. He served his country faithfully in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1952 to 1956. He was employed by FX Matt Brewery in Utica, NY where he worked as an operator for 30 years, until his retirement. On August 23, 1958, Rocco married Evelyn Yauger in Rome; she predeceased Rock on November 18, 2017. He was an avid sports fan especially the NY Yankees. He also enjoyed playing golf and camping with his family. Rocco was a member of several clubs throughout Rome, including the American Legion, Stanwix Men’s Club, the VFW, Toccolana Club, American-Ukrainian Vets, Inc., Knights of Columbus, Frank J. Steczko Post and Galliano Club.

Surviving is a son and daughter-in-law, Rocco Jr. and Tami (Mead) Mesagna, Verona, a daughter and son-in-law, Debra and John P. Martin, Verona, four grandchildren, Jason and his fiance Charity Baker, Rome, Rachel and her husband Moises Cruz, Brooklyn, NY, Greg Mesagna and his wife Katie, Liverpool, NY and Dominic Mesagna, Rome. Also great grandchildren, Noah Cruz, Skye Cruz, Isabella Mesagna, as well as several nieces and nephews. Rocco was predeceased by his brothers, Pasquale Mesagna, Joseph Mesagna, Jack Mesagna, and Tony Mesagna and sisters, Rose DeProspero, Frances Galluppi, Beatrice Cook and Anna Sanchez.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday March 6, 2023 at 11:00am, at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, March 5, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. Spring Burial will be at St. John the Baptist Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rocco’s name to: Humane Society of Rome, Inc., P.O. Box 4572, Rome, New York 13442-4572, or Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, or online at support.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com.