Anthony Bucci

BUCCI
Anthony "Tony" Rocco, 96, of Ridgefield, NJ, beloved husband to Anna (nee Terzolo) and loving father to sons Michael and Ron and his wife Linda and daughter Gina, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Born in Potenza, Italy on August 15, 1915, he was the oldest of four siblings, Luigi, Filomena and Salvatore, all predeceased to him. He came to America at age 13 with his family and they lived in Union City, NJ. He left school after the 6th grade to help support his family. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corp at 18 and worked throughout the mid-west. After the CCC, he worked on a merchant ship as a cook until joining the job he would have until he retired in 1985. He became the Plant Manager for Vermouth Industries of America, which made Tribuno Vermouth, in NYC. The company moved to Lodi, NJ in 1969. It was at Tribuno where he met his future wife Anna when she brought lunch to a family member. They eloped July 12, 1948 and would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this year. An avid golfer, he was a member of Forsgate Country Club for many years, then a familiar face on Bergen County Courses in his retirement. He taught his daughter Gina to golf and they golfed together into his 90's. He was always proud to tell his family that he won two Pro-Am tournaments. He watched his son Ron play sports throughout his life and with his booming voice told many a referee what they could do with their whistle when he disagreed with their call during the game. He loved all sports and became a Yankee Fan because of the Italians in the lineup in the 30's and was at Yankee Stadium for Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth's retirement ceremonies. He had a passion for dancing and listening to music especially Sinatra and Martin. He adored his dogs Tanya, Cochise, Rusty and PJ. He would feed the squirrels peanuts out of his hand on his daily walk to get the newspapers. When asked what his secret to his long life he would say, "A Gin Martini, a glass of red wine and crushed red pepper on everything". He would brag to everyone that his wife Anna was the best cook in the world. When asked his secret to a long marriage, he would say, "Selective hearing". He was an associate member of the VFW in Lodi. He would often say that although "he was born in Italy; America is the greatest country in the world." When unable to get around as much in the last couple years, he and son Michael would pass the day watching sports and Westerns on TV every day. Visiting at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Ave., Ridgefield (201) 945-5032 on Thursday from 4-8 PM. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Friday at 9:15 AM to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Matthew's RC Church, 555 Prospect Ave., Ridgefield on Friday at 10:15 AM. Entombment to follow at Fairview Mausoleum, Fairview, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in his memory be made to the Ridgefield Ambulance Corps or to www.evasvillage.org. For directions or to send condolences, go to blackleyfuneral.com.

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