Bartholomew LaRocca
January 15, 1917 - March 20, 2011
Obituary
Bartholomew ‘Bart’ LaROCCA Bartholomew ‘Bart’ LaRocca, age 94, died peacefully with his family at his side at his home Sunday, March 20, 2011. Bart is survived by hiswife of 13 years, Gail; son, Jerome Michelle LaRocca; daughters, Donna LaRocca and Regina LaRocca; 4 step-children; 2 grandchildren, Kristen and Matthew; 11 step-grandchildren and 7 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years, Albina LaRocca in 1996. Born in Sicily, he entered the US at Ellis Island in 1921 and grew up in New Orleans. Perhaps it was the city’s musical influence, as well as being related to Nick LaRocca, founderof the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, that sparked his lifelong interestand participation in music. The trombone was his chosen instrument, and he was a member of his high school band, as well as at the University of Southern California before his enlistment in the US Marine Corps prior to Pearl Harbor. The Marines became his second passion, and he elected to make it a career, serving until 1962. Retraining as an accountant, Bart’s second career was primarily at Solar Turbines, Intl. of San Diego, CA, from where he retired in 1979. Relocating in 1980 to WA, Bart soon took up the instrument again to play in the Bremerton Symphony. After Albina’s passing, music became the connection to the next part of his life, when he met Gail as they both participated in the Enumclaw Band. Together they attended symphonies and operas, gave music lessons in their home, and attended Bart’s MarineCorps Musician Association annual reunions. A sufferer of age-related macular degeneration in his last years, he received invaluable assistance from the VA that allowed him to continue to read. Bart requests donations to the National Federation of the Blind in lieu of flowers. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, 03/26/11 at 2:00 p.m. at BONNEY-WATSON Federal Way, 1535 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way, WA. 253839-7317.
Regina,
I was very sad to learn that your father passed away. I was privileged to hear you tell many stories about the “tough old Marine” and I know he meant a great deal to you. I am very sorry for your loss. I wish you the strength to power through and to always think fondly of him and what he did for you, your family and our country. Men like him are the only thing that really sets us apart from the rest of the world and I know you are proud to have been the daughter of such a man. God Bless,
Brick
Bart was both friend and mentor to me. We met in 1985 when he was Director of The Farragut Brass, sponsored by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and continued our contact until recent years. Bart embodied all the finest attributes of humanity, truly a “man for all seasons.” And he was such great fun to be around!
Few among us can even hope to distantly live a life so honorable, purposeful and meaningful as his. Our sympathy is with Gail and the family, with thanks to God for having known Bart.
I had the privilege of representing Bart as his attorney, and I always enjoyed his wit, intelligence and pride. He loved family and the Marines and was always positive. He will certainly be missed.
I served under Bart in Japan.
He was a great leader and musician.
Dan Dollinger
I do not recall where or when I first met Bart, but it was a music event or concert in the early 1980s. My group, the Cornucopia Concert Band, was and is a small band, about 20 members, dedicated to performing early 20th century American music. Bart attended many of our concerts and Ragtime Cabaret shows. He always expressed enthusiasm for our music, and was most encouraging to our band. It was a blessing to have known him. Music lives in an instant, yet lasts forever. Rest In Peace, you have brought joy to multitudes.
Regina, I am so saddened by your loss. I know how important family is to you. I really enjoyed reading about your father and was moved by the photograph on the memorial. He had quite a passion for music, the Marine Corps, and family. I also noted he entered the US through Ellis Island, soon after my grandmother and grandfather did. Very nice memories of a life well lived to you, Regina.
What a wonderful life. So glad to be a small part of it. My love and thoughts are with you today. Take comfort in each other.
Today I drove over to the house on Baxter Street where we had many celebrations as a family. I said a prayer and held back some tears. I love you all and will miss Uncle Bud so very much. God bless.
I will miss Bart LaRocca for his musical talents, wisdom on music theory, and his limitless skills on the musical instrument in which I too grew up to play – the trombone. He spent years teaching and training me on perfecting and tuning my talents and much to my surprise, far better than I thought to do. However, it’s not only the musical instruction I will miss, nor the Marine Corp drill discipline used on me to practice and improve, and nor will it be the scolding I received from time to time when I did not practice, but what I will miss the most are the life experiences he shared with me at every session we had together. He spoke much of his band members of whom he would work hard with which turned out to be great musicians, he would share marital advice and pass onto a young couple as myself, and occasionally share his views on politics and his views on history as he thought should be “re-written”. Thank you, Bro. Bart, this is one student that will miss you much.
Regina, Sorry for your loss. Regards, Jack
Regina and family,
Our thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.
Richard Finn, Brendan Brownfield and Allyson Cooke
Regina and family,
Our sincerest and most heatfelt condolences for the loss you have suffered.
Finn, Wheels and Hannah
I will always remember my time spent with Bart LaRocca. He was a good, decent man and always a real friend to me. There is no one in my life’s time that compares to his influence on me.
Our deepest sorrows to the family of Bart LaRocca. Mr. LaRocca was one of kind, so may stories, experiences and always happy to be around. As a young Trumpet player I looked up to Mr. LaRocca’s many talents and many friends. He always offered great life experiences and Family was always a priority. I am so glad to have had this man and his family be a part of my life. He will be missed as he touched all our lives in his special way. Semper FI
With deepest condolences to Regina and the rest of the family.
My condolences to Mr LaRocca’s family for their great loss.
It was an honor to know Bart.
I met him only twice in person but had many conversations with him on the phone.
Bart was well respected as a Musican and as Gentleman, a rare person indeed.
I’ll miss him—-Jimmy LaRocca
My condolences to Bart’s family,exspecially to Gail.I will always remember him for his enthusiasm towards life, music and the Marine Corps. Rest will my friend, your in the good hands of the Lord now.
I had the honor to be a member of Mr. LaRocca’s USMC Band in the late 50s and early 60s. He was much loved by the Marines in his band. I recently came across his picture in my photo albums (a photo just like the one above) and many wonderful memories came to mind. I still play my trombone in local community bands and always give credit to my time in his band for my musical abilities, he gave me the opportunity to play in the best band on the West Coast . Mr. LaRocca always challenged us to work and play music beyond what we thought we were capable. He was spit and polish (I loved it) and consistent in his expectations as to how a Marine should conduct himself at all times. I will always be proud to have served in his command and to have known him as a person. I salute you Mr. LaRocca – SEMPER FI
Dear LaRocca Family,
I was a student and friend of your dear father and step-mother for many years but had moved back to England when they both passed within a short time of each other. I’ve always wanted to return to Washington and pay my respects to them both and properly say goodbye to two people who treated me like family and that I loved so much. I will be in WA this coming week, and would love to visit their memorials – would you kindly inform me of the location please? I’d be so grateful. These two individuals are forever a precious part of my life and to this day I know I wouldn’t be the musician or the person I am without them.
Sincerely Jeanine