Rocco Frank Monaco, age 84 years, of Winter Park, Florida, passed away on December 4, 2020. Rocco was born on August 24, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Joseph and Ida (Brienza) Monaco.

As a child, Rocco suffered a variety of now-controllable diseases, to include rheumatic fever. He was hospitalized for extended periods of time as a young child. Upon regaining his health, he graduated high school early and joined the U.S. Navy in 1954. After boot camp in Newport RI, he went to sonar school in Key West FL, and then onto the then-secret SOSUS facility in Bermuda. In Bermuda, he met his future wife, Nelrene. He left Bermuda for his last tour of duty on the U.S.S. Caperton (DD 650), where he cruised the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet. His favorite port of call was Beirut. He left active duty in 1957.

After leaving the Navy, he married Nelrene and went to school at night to earn an Associates Degree in electronics from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He subsequently worked in the industry in Newark NJ, Bedford MA and Nashville TN (for Aladdin Industries). In 1967, he and his family eventually settled in the Orlando area, where he worked for Scott Electronics, later NCR. At Scott Electronics, he worked on a variety of missile and space projects. He was proud to note that some of his components were included in the Saturn V rockets to the moon. Before retiring, he worked in other industries in Florida and Haiti.

Rocco was a medical marvel. His childhood rheumatic fever later resulted in having his heart valves replaced with mechanical valves. He also had polycystic kidney condition, resulting in both kidneys being replaced. His later life was highlighted by a constant effort to balance his blood chemistry against the competing needs of his heart and kidneys.

Rocco was very talented in the arts, bouncing from hobby to hobby, to include scrimshaw, pottery, china painting, oil painting, carving, poetry and other ventures. He also enjoyed a variety of shooting sports, to include firearms and bow.

He is survived by his sons Robert (Beth) Monaco, Michael (Nadine) Monaco, grandsons Daniel Monaco and Ryan Monaco, and granddaughter Maria Monaco-Rex. He is also survived by his sisters Nancy Christopher and Pauline Maldonado, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his former wife Nelrene, his brother Joseph and sister Katherine.

He will be laid to rest in private services.