Rocco R. DeAngelis

85, of Pawtucket passed away on Friday August 1, 2014 at Westerly Nursing Home in Westerly. He was the devoted husband of Maria "Mary" (Texiera) DeAngelis. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John and Jeanette "Jenny" DeAngelis. Rocco worked his entire life in the military including his service with the 82nd Airborne in Okinawa, Japan. Rocco joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard in 1946, was mobilized with Battery A 705th 90mm Gun Battery in Okinawa, 1950-1952. He served as Battery Commander of a Nike Ajax Missile Site in Coventry, RI from 1959 to 1963, then took command of the Nike Hercules Site in North Smithfield from 1963 to 1968. Colonel DeAngelis became the RI National Guard Technician Personnel Officer and later the State Maintenance Officer. He served as Battalion Commander of the 1st Bn of the 103rd Field Artillery. He retired from the RI Guard in 1985.
Rocco was an avid boater spending most of his summers between Block Island and Newport, RI. When not on the water, Rocco could always be found skiing in the winter or pursuing his love of dancing.
Besides his wife he was the beloved father of Kathleen DeAngelis of Pawtucket, Linda A. Napolitano and her husband Frank of East Hartford, CT and Steven R. DeAngelis and his wife Melissa of Hope Valley; loving grandfather of Aaron Napolitano, Jack C. DeAngelis, Elena DeAngelis and Noah DeAngelis. He was the dear brother of Robert R. DeAngelis and the late Gloria Tella.
His funeral will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave. Cranston, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, 1525 Cranston St. Cranston.
Burial with military honors will be in RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.
VISITING HOURS are Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Alzheimer's Association 245 Waterman Street Suite 206 Providence, RI 02906.

---