Rocco 'Rocky' Louis Vadala, 1225 Hofius Lane, Hermitage, passed away at 8:10 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2012, in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, after an extended illness. He was 68.
Mr. Vadala was born August 14, 1943, in Sharon, a son of Ben Vadala, Sr. and Catherine Sainato Vadala.
He was a lifelong area resident and a 1962 graduate of Farrell High School.
Rocky retired in 1992 from Sharon Steel's former Farrell plant where he was a crane man for 29 years. He was also a sales representative and manager for Vanguard Alarms, Inc.
Rocky was an active member of the AFL-CIO, Local 1197, where he served as recording secretary, grievance man in Zone 1, shop steward and chairman of the safety committee. He was a member of SOAR (Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees) and Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell.
Active in the community, Rocky was involved in many different organizations. He was a member and past president of the Farrell Lion's Club where he was once named 'Lion of the Year'; member and past president of the Italian Home, Farrell; and a member of the Keystone Blind Association and North Sharon Volunteer Fire Hall, where he was a bingo caller. During the 1960's he was a volunteer fireman for the City of Farrell and later served with the 105th Artillery of the National Guard for six years. Rocky was vice-president of the Shenango Valley Softball League and was a member of the (ASA) American Softball Association and the Shenango Valley Umpires Association. He was a manager and coach for the former Paradise Inn softball team and volunteered for the annual Hoyle Tournament at Sharon High School.
Throughout his life, Rocky was dedicated to raising funds for many endeavors and charitable events. He helped raise money for the Farrell Steeler basketball team so they could attend the Las Vegas Invitational Tournament; raised funds for the Dave Kostra monument; and was instrumental in the building of the Korean War Memorial Monument in Shenango Twp. When his sons attended Hickory High School, Rocky was part of the chain gang at the football games; participated in the Hornet Grid Iron Club; and helped secure funds to purchase jackets for the 1989 state championship team.
He loved hunting and fishing with his sons and friends, particularly charter fishing trips on Lake Erie. He enjoyed playing cards, casinos, bocce and entertaining family and friends during the holidays.
He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. May he rest in peace.
Surviving are his loving family; his wife at home, the former Marian Lazor, whom he married January 30, 1970 in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell; three sons, Rocco Vadala, Jr. and his wife Mary, Brookfield; Michael Vadala, Hermitage; and Deano Vadala, also Hermitage, and his fiancée Carrie Rogers, Brookfield.
He also leaves great nieces and nephews whom he adored, Alex, Adam, Justin, Tommy, Isaac, Sophia, Frank, Hunter, Landon, Ashley, Carissa and Matthew; and twenty Godchildren.
Besides his parents, Rocky was preceded in death by a brother, Ben Vadala, Jr.; and a sister, Sherry Ehrhart.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.
Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 13, 2012, in Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.
Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.