New Lebanon – Rocco C. Arico, 61, former owner of Rocky’s Restaurant in New Lebanon, NY, died on Thursday, August 27, 2009, under the care of Hospice Care in the Berkshires.
Born December 19, 1947, in Albany, NY, he was the son of Rita M. Scanlon Arico of Pittsfield, MA, and the late Rocco P. Arico. Rocky graduated from Philip Livingston High School in Albany. He had lived in West Lebanon, NY, until relocating to Pittsfield in the last year. From 2002 until his illness in April of 2008, he worked for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. He loved cooking, reading, horses, fishing, sports and gardening. He had attended Love Lutheran Church and New Hope Church.
Rocky was pre-deceased by his first wife, Mary Kosakowski Arico, who died on December 14, 1975, and his second wife, Caroline Phyllis Arnold Arico, who died on May 7, 2000.
Besides his mother, of Pittsfield, Rocky is survived by six sisters, Ruth White of Jacksonville, NC, Rita Laviolette of Pittsfield, Angela Harding of Greene, NY, Cathy Demary of Pittsfield, Rose Sadauskas of Chesapeake, VA, and Betsy Arico of Pittsfield, and a brother, John Arico of Cheshire, MA.
Following Rocky’s request there will be no calling hours or formal services. He was buried on Monday, August 31, in the East Nassau Cemetery, Garfield Road, East Nassau, NY, next to his loving wife Caroline. Contributions in Rocky’s memory may be made to either the American Cancer Association or Multiple Sclerosis Foundation in care of Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, PO Box 9, Stephentown, NY, 12168.