Earl Charles LaRocca, 89, of Lewiston, NY died on Thursday April 22, 2010 at Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence in Lewiston, NY. Born Orlando LaRocca in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late Luigi and Concettina (D'Arcangelo) LaRocca.

Mr. LaRocca served in the United States Army during World War II from May 12, 1941until honorably discharged on December 24, 1945. He was a Battalion Sergeant Major of the 303rd Medical Battalion of 525 enlisted men and 25 medical officers as part of the 78th Infantry Lightening Division and later appointed Military Personnel Warrant Officer. Earl was involved in the Campaigns in Ardennes, Central Europe and Rhineland and was awarded many medals including the Bronze Star Medal and European Theatre Ribbon with 3 Battle Stars. On May 25, 1942, he married Anna Mae (Trunzo) Tate, his high school sweetheart and remained married for over 50 years until she died on November 8, 1993.

Following his discharge, Mr. LaRocca studied Commercial Banking and Business Administration at Niagara University and the University of Buffalo. Mr. LaRocca was an executive for nine years at the former Levy Brothers Furniture Co., Inc., President for three years of Earl's Furniture Store, Inc., and served twenty-five years as an executive of Marine Midland Bank, now HSBC. He was also an Assistant Vice President of Key Bank for three years, served six years as Housing Counselor for Niagara Community Action Program (NIACAP) and was also employed at Harold Hibbard Enterprises for two years before his retirement in 1998.

Mr. LaRocca was never known to say no to a legitimate request or cause. Somehow he managed to fit all in his busy schedule. Some of his past affiliations are: Treasurer of the Salvation Army for twenty years, and Volunteer Executive Secretary of the Niagara Falls Area Appeals Review Board. He aided fund raising for Catholic Charities, United Way, St. Joseph Church and School, and St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus. Earl was also the director of Family and Children's Society and Niagara Falls Area Housing Resources Board. He was the director of the Golden Age Club, member of the Niagara Club, the American Legion, VFW, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Knights of Columbus Council 247, and a financial advisor to the Lt. John Bobo Vietnam Memorial Chapter 681. He served as President of the Leukemia Society of Western New York and Pine Avenue Business Association. Earl was a member of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus Church, where he became President of their Holy Name Society, president of the Lay Council, and was instrumental in the building of the new Church. In his leisure time he enjoyed studying Christianity, Judaism, Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, and Islam.

Mr. LaRocca is survived by daughter Frances A. (Roselle Sweeney) LaRocca of Lewiston, NY and was predeceased by one son Earl J. LaRocca. He is also survived by his grandson David (Kim) LaRocca, one great-granddaughter Ruby Lucia LaRocca of New York, NY; two brothers, Dr. Rocco (late Angela) LaRocca of Niagara Falls, NY, Dr. Louis (Louise) LaRocca of Bakersfield, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was the brother-in-law of Dorothy (Leonard) Gravino of Niagara Falls, NY; Margaret "Peggy" (Paul) Masters of Lewiston, NY, and Nicholas (Annette) Tate of Niagara Falls, NY; and dear friend of Mary Hibbard of Lewiston, NY. He was also predeceased by three sisters, Maria C. (late Joseph) LaRocca-Hoffman, Blondina (late Nicolas) Zona, and Victoria (late Casper) Scalzo.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY, where funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 27th at 10:30 a.m. Entombment with Military Honors will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY.