Kenneth J Rocco

Kenneth J. Rocco, 86, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025.

Kenneth was born on June 22, 1939 and raised in Newark, NJ. He went to Barringer High School and was an all-city center on the football team. He earned a BA from Jersey City State College (now NJCU) and a master’s degree in mathematics from Seton Hall University.

Kenneth went on to teach math at Barringer High School for more than 30 years and also ran a successful business in partnership with his wife.

He resided in Denville, NJ, for more than 40 years before moving to Spring Hills Assisted Living in Livingston, NJ, in 2024.

Kenneth loved his wife and family tremendously. In his earlier years, he enjoyed playing racquetball, cooking, listening to music, and traveling. He often told stories and fondly reminisced about his many summers spent in Monmouth Beach.

He was the beloved husband of Isabel (Rojas) Rocco; devoted father of Adrian Rocco and his wife Lindsay, and of Christopher Rocco and his wife Jillian; cherished grandfather of Ruby and Marley Rocco; dear brother of Lola Balzarotti; brother-in-law of Lucy Rocco; and is also survived by many loving nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. 

Kenneth was pre-deceased by his parents Louis and Rose (Salerno) Rocco, his brother L. Ronald Rocco, and his brother-in-law Edward Balzarotti. 

Visitation will be held at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., at 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, NJ, on Thursday, August 14, from 9 – 11 a.m., followed by the funeral mass at Holy Family Church in Florham Park at 11:30 a.m. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. To view the mass livestream please click https://holyfamilyfp.org/ and click on live. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kenneth’s name to the charity of your choice, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dean Michael Clarizio Cancer Foundation, or Serenity Hospice.

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