Rocco C. Merante, 85, of Niagara Falls, NY died
on Thursday, April 18, 2013 in Lewiston, NY. Born
in Niagara Falls, NY, he was the son of the late
Thomas and Nunziata (Trapasso) Merante.
Rocco was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls,
NY. He attended local schools and graduated from
Niagara Falls High School in 1945 and later
attended Niagara University. During World War
II he served in the U.S. Navy from June 26, 1945
until his honorable discharge on September 13,
1949. On October 27, 1956 he married Albina
(Mazza) Meranto in Niagara Falls, NY. Rocco
worked at Bell Aerospace in Wheatfield, NY from
1950 until 1960. He then became a Mail Carrier for
the U.S. Postal Service from 1961 until he retired in
1988. When he was younger, he was an avid
football player and played on teams in high school,
college and while serving in the Navy. Rocco
enjoyed the sounds of big band music and playing
poker with his friends. He was a gifted
accordionist and member of the Stardusters,
Noveltones and Madhatters bands which
performed throughout Western New York and
Canada. Above all, Rocco's greatest pleasure was
spending time with his family.
In addition to his wife of fifty-six years, Rocco is
survived by four children, Nancy (Michael)
Badolato of Reno, NV, Donna (Gino) Nichele of
Youngstown, NY, Thomas (Cheryl Ramage)
Merante of Louisville, KY and Cheryl Merante of
Long Beach, NY; ten grandchildren, David
Badolato, Christopher (Abby) Badolato, Michael
Badolato, Jessica Nichele, Melissa (Paul) Westoven,
Cara Nichele, Gino Nichele, Briana (Alex) McCall,
Danielle Merante and Nick Merante; five
great-grandchildren, Kylee, Hannah, Gabriella,
Rocco and Deanna; and several nieces, nephews
and cousins. He was predeceased by three sisters,
Antoinette (late Michael) Longo, Santina (late John)
Ventry and Ida (late Michael) Maro.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 2-7 PM at the
M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL
CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY,
where funeral services will begin on Monday,
April 22nd at 11:15 AM, followed by a Mass of
Christian Burial at 12 noon at Holy Family of Jesus,
Mary and Joseph at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine
Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Stewart
Lindsay, O.S.F.S. officiating. Entombment in St.
Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY with Military
Honors. Memorial donations may be made to
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research,
PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10164 or to the
National Kidney Foundation, 310 Packett's Landing,
Fairport, NY 14450.
Visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for
online guest register