Rocco W. Saracco

Rocco W. Saracco was born on October 7, 1947, and passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023, at the age of 75 years old.
Beloved son of the late Anthony (2012) and the late Alice (2014) Saracco.
Cherished brother and brother-in-law to Anthony (Bonnie) and Mario (Alice) Saracco.
Loving uncle to Kathy (Curt) Preissner, Tony (Caitlin) Saracco, Marc (Kelly) Saracco, Adam (Mayra) Saracco, and Beth Ann (Robert) Manuel.
Admired great uncle to Wilson Preissner, Joseph Saracco, Anthony Saracco, Alice Manuel, Sam Rose Saracco, and Abigail Saracco.

Rocco was a kind and thoughtful person and will be remembered for the unique ways he showed us how to love and support one another.
While Rocco was born with intellectual disabilities, this did not define him, and he managed to accomplish many meaningful milestones that fill his family and community with pride, and admiration.
Rocco was a faithful Catholic his entire life, and would often join his family in prayer and weekly Mass.
His spirituality serves as an example of the powerful ways God reaches the lives of all people seeking to grow in faith and service to one another.
Rocco showed loyalty in all the relationships he forged with his family, neighbors, friends, and the many people who provided him support and assistance.
His commitment to those he loved was expressed in numerous ways including remembering family member’s birthdays, making donations to animal shelters, as well as passing along his favorite “stuffies” (sometimes reluctantly) to his beloved great nieces and nephews.
Rocco was resourceful and would collect newspapers and aluminum cans from neighbors on Leyden Avenue, bringing in his bundles to a local recycling center, and walking out with a “few bucks”. His mother would dutifully record his earnings from month to month, allowing him to keep track of his profits in a notebook he would frequently review. Rocco would then use his savings to purchase Christmas presents and other gifts for his family.
Rocco’s father, Anthony, loved the Cubs, a pastime he passed along to all three of his sons. Whether winning the World Series, or facing years of disappointment, Rocco never wavered in his devotion, and was happiest at Wrigley Field surrounded by his family and friends.
Rocco’s other hobbies included participating in numerous activities and programs through the Melrose Park Veteran’s Park District, where he built life-long friendships with fellow participants and staff.
Rocco was an excellent bowler within the LRCA bowling league, often accompanied by his parents cheering him on as he
bowled another strike.
When it came to recreation, Rocco loved traveling throughout the Midwest.
The most important item on his packing list was his rod and reel with some of his favorite honey holes including Three Rivers, MI, Hayward, WI, and Galena, Illinois.
Fall was a favorite time of the year for Rocco, marked not only by his birthday in October, but the changing leaves were often met with an ask from Rocco to take a drive and see the fall foliage. A request often honored by his brothers, Anthony and Mario.
As Rocco celebrated his 75th birthday last year, his family recalled the many joyful moments shared with their beloved brother, uncle and great uncle throughout the years.
When Rocco was really enjoying himself, he would smile and let out his signature and energetic, “Weeeeee!”.
Despite the obstacles Rocco faced in his life, he will be remembered more by the joy, thoughtfulness, and meaningful connections he brought into the lives of all fortunate to know and love him.
Rocco, rest in peace. We love you.

The visitation will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023, from 9:00am to 11:00am at Sax-Tiedemann, 9568 Belmont Avenue, Franklin Park, IL, 60131.
The funeral Mass will be presided by Fr. Tom Unz and held at St. Cyprian Catholic Church/ St. Mother Guerin Parish, 2601 Clinton Street, River Grove, IL, 60171, at 11:30am.
Interment will be held after Mass at Mount Carmel Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, IL, 60162.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Special Olympics of Illinois, as Rocco was a proud medal recipient across various events including softball throw, walking, and standing jump.

HEAVEN’S VERY SPECIAL CHILD
A meeting was held quite far from Earth,
“It’s time again for another birth,”
Said the Angels to the Lord above.
This Special Child will need much love,
His progress may seem very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show,
And he’ll require extra care
From the folks he meets way down there.
He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won’t adapt,
And he’ll be known as handicapped.
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find parents who
will do a special job for you.
They will not realize right away
The leading role they’re asked to play.
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love,
And soon they’ll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from Heaven,
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is Heaven’s Very Special Child.
Author Unknown