Submitted by: Dan Rich
July 22, 1918 - Sept. 6, 2008
South Bend Tribune 9/9/2008
SOUTH BEND - Rocco Ameduri, 90, loving husband, father and
grandfather of South Bend, Indiana, passed away Saturday,
September 6, 2008, in his home surrounded by his family. Rocco
was born on July 22, 1918, in Gioiosa Ionica Reggio Calabria,
Italy, to Rocco and Rose (Linarello) Ameduri. Rocco and
his wife Julia owned "Rocco's" Restaurant at 537
North St. Louis from 1951-1991, now owned by their daughter Linda
and her husband Warren. They opened a second restaurant called
"The New Rocco's" from 1957-1965 which was an
upscale restaurant with fine cuisine, established way ahead of
its time. On November 21, 1946, Rocco married Julia Simeri,
who survives. Also surviving with his wife of 61 years are his
daughters, Linda (Warren) Verteramo of South Bend,
Indiana, and Gina (Larry) Loebach of South Bend, Indiana;
grandchildren, Rocky Verteramo, Danny Verteramo, Julianna
Loebach, Angela Loebach and Gabriella Loebach; a sister, Mannina
(Giulio) Schirripa of Australia; and brothers, Vincenzio
(Nara) Ameduri of Florence, Italy, and Nicola (Luanna) Ameduri of
Torino, Italy. Sisters, Carmella, Elizabeth and Julia, and a
brother, Francesco Ameduri, all preceded him in death.
Rocco was a member of the Italian Army
during WWII and was captured in Africa and held as a prisoner of
war by the U.S. Army. He was brought to California where he was
held, and later transferred to Tooele, Utah. While there, his
future wife, Julia, started correspondence with him, since her
family knew of his family and the situation he was in. She wrote
to him there as well as when he was released and sent back to
Italy. After exchanging pictures, he knew he wanted Julia to be
his wife. And he proposed to her in one of his letters. She filed
papers for him to come to the States, and saved some money
working as a waitress at Mark's restaurant. Julia then went to
visit for two weeks before their wedding, which was held in
Italy. They were married November 21, 1946. Julia returned alone
a few months later and he joined her in March 1948. He took a job
as an assistant cook at one of the Notre Dame residence halls.
Julia's father opened a store in 1951 and Rocco and Julia decided
to add a pizzeria there as well. This earned them the confidence
to open their own restaurant, "Rocco's," in
1951. In 1991 they turned over the business to their daughter
Linda and her husband Warren after 40 years. Many would know
Rocco as jovial and friendly with a knack for telling endless
stories of his life journey. His life in Italy, his war stories,
his beloved America, and his restaurant that represented the
American dream. He loved his homeland, but America was the home
in his heart. As years passed and life slowed down, he retired
and his daughter, Linda, son-in-law, Warren, and grandsons, Rocky
and Danny, continued the legacy that he and Julia had worked hard
to establish.
Daughter Gina graduated from his two
favorite colleges, St. Mary's and Notre Dame, to go into work in
the medical field. Gina and her husband Larry would have his
three granddaughters, Julianna, Angela and Gabriella (and one
grandson, Nicholas, deceased), and Linda and Warren would have
his two grandsons, Rocky and Danny. He loved his grandchildren
very much and enjoyed them greatly in his life. His BMW was his
pride and joy and he was very proud of reaching 90 years on July
22nd. His garden of tomatoes, green beans, and various other
vegetables was a source of great satisfaction to him, for he
loved food, and it kept him active and working hard until this
year. Making wine was an event for him, and the grandsons helped
him as they learned from their Pappu about wine and life.
Rocco enjoyed playing silly games with his beautiful
granddaughters and making them laugh. Over the last year, as
health problems and dementia progressed, his wife and family were
blessed with the gifts of loving him, caring for him, and getting
to know the depth of his feelings about God, his life and family.
He taught his family so much about life and love, and especially
this last year, to never give up the good fight. Rocco's wife,
partner, primary caregiver, and love of his life, his
"Juliette," was constantly at his side. The rest of his
family was consumed with their father's and grandfather's
well-being till the end of his earthly life. He was blessed with
an angel of a caregiver, Pat, who was a buddy to him and a
Godsend to Rocco and his family. Thank you to the Center for
Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Joseph County, you were
wonderful. Surrounded by his loving wife, family and Pat, Rocco
took off his apron to finally rest with the Lord in paradise.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday,
September 10, 2008, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Kaniewski
Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana, where a
parish Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian
Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11,
2008, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend, with burial to
follow at Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent
to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 226 N. Hill St., South Bend, IN
46617. Published in the South Bend Tribune on 9/9/2008