Jefferson A. Rocca

Jefferson A. Rocca, 81, of West Hartford, died Saturday, August 29, 2015. Born in Peru, the son of the late Clemente and Antonia Rocca, he immigrated to Hartford in 1958. He lived there until his retirement in 1992 when he moved to West Hartford where he shared a home with his late sister, Ildelisa Nelly Aldave, and his nephew, Walter. In 2006, he became a resident at Hughes Health & Rehabilitation. Jefferson was a pioneer of the Peruvian community where he assisted many families in migrating to Hartford, CT and was a force in the development of the Hispanic community for more than 40 years. He was a founder of the Hermandad del Senor de los Milagros of Hartford, CT, the Hermandad de la Virgen del Rosario de Ocros of Hartford, CT and Club Peru of Hartford, CT. He was an organizer in early efforts to adopt the bilingual education program and the School Readiness Program in the Hartford Public School System. He was heavily involved in multiple organizations, such as the Community Renewal Team, Hartford Chapter of the Puerto Rican Parade, Albany Avenue Community Center, Lions International Club, La Casa de Puerto Rico, and Boy Scouts of America. In addition to several awards that he received for his community leadership and service, Jefferson most recently received the Maria C. Sanchez Community Service Award for his outstanding contribution to the Puerto Rican/Hispanic community. Jefferson was also an entrepreneur who owned the only Hispanic printing business in the city of Hartford in the 1970s and 80s. He enjoyed reading the newspaper, playing (and winning) bingo with his friends at Hughes, and eating an array of cuisine. He loved listening to Mexican music as well as his native Peruvian Huayno. He is survived by four sisters, Graciela (Jose) Fret, Emma (Luis) Perez, Victoria (Jose) Vidal, and Julia (Rafael) Serrano. He is also survived by 15 nieces and nephews, 16 great nieces and nephews, and many godchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday (September 5) at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Calling hours are Friday (September 4) from 4-7 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.org.