Rocco Spagnolo, 80 of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Saturday July 25, 2009 at Millard Fillmore Hospital Gates Circle in Buffalo, NY. Born in Bianco, Reggio Calabria, Italy, he was the son of the late Giuseppe and Amalia (Cara) Spagnolo.

Rocco was educated in Italy and served in the Italian Navy. He immigrated to the United States and settled in Niagara Falls in November of 1955. For a brief time he worked at DiCamillo Bakery in Niagara Falls, and later became employed at International Graphite later known as Airco Spear in Niagara Falls where he worked thirty two years until his retirement in 1992. During that time, Rocco also worked as a self-employed painter, as well as for various local contractors.

Rocco was truly ingenious, creative both artistically and mechanically. He enjoyed playing music, building, woodworking and gardening. Rocco's true passion in life was oil painting. He painted at Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, NY, numerous scenic oil paintings for family members, as well as a large oil painting of Christopher Columbus that hangs in the Cristoforo Colombo Society Hall in Niagara Falls, NY of which he was a member of for many years. Rocco was also a hunter, and avid fisherman, a skill he had learned and developed as a young man in Italy.

Mr. Spagnolo is survived by his wife Giuseppina 'Josephine' (Ieraci) Spagnolo, four children, Amalia (Natale) Spagnolo of Niagara Falls, NY, Giuseppe (Suzette) Spagnolo of Niagara Falls, NY, Theresa (Larry) Brosius of Ransomville, NY and Marilyn (Dr. Michael) Marrone of Niagara Falls, NY, twelve grandchildren, Frank (Tracy) Spagnolo, Rocco (Danielle) Spagnolo, Gregory, Julie, and David Spagnolo, Lisa, Lawrence and Joey Monahan, Richard Brosius, Michael, Daniel and Sarah Marrone, three great-grandchildren, Rocco and Luca Spagnolo and Natalie Monahan, two brothers, Nicola and Pietro Spagnolo both of Reggio, Calabria, Italy and many nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States and Italy. He was also predeceased by one sister Cicilia Spagnolo and two brothers, Francesco and Giuseppe Spagnolo.

Friends may call on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL 2730 MILITARY ROAD NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will begin on Wednesday July 29th at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Ave. Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Stewart Lindsay O.S.F.S. officiating. Entombment will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. If desired, memorial offerings may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Western New York 300 Delaware Ave. Suite 101 Buffalo, NY 14202.