Obituary of Joseph Rollo

Joseph "Joe" Rollo left this world peacefully after a tough three year battle with leukemia on March 28, 2013. Joe was born in Geneva, New York, on October 31, 1946, son of Charles V. and Anna Mosier Rollo. He attended Geneva schools graduating from Geneva High in 1964. That same year, at age 17, he joined the Air Force and served until 1968, spending a full year in Iceland, "watching the Russians", as he would put it! He married Maureen Merkel (Gifford) in July, 1965, and together they had Matthew James in 1968. In December of 1968, Joe began his employment with Niagara Mohawk, initially as a meter reader. After two years, he joined the line department retiring after 34 years of service. Retirement didn't last long before a decision was made to join forces with best friend, Ed O'Rourke in 2003. They became the electrical duo by the name of R & 0 Electric. Their work was selective and they kept just busy enough to still have a lot of fun, have a little extra pocket money, always enjoying the time they spent together. Joe and Ed balanced each other out perfectly as a partnership team. In November, 1981, Joe married Marilyn Mondrick at the First Baptist Church in Rome. In 1982, they decided to take over the family business, Nick's Tavern but that was short lived when the building burned in February 1983. Together they worked hard, enjoyed everyday life, ate many a good meals and surely enjoyed retirement years RV traveling the US making many great friends along the way, especially in Florida. Being together as family was always enjoyable and many happy times were spent with great memories made that will remain forever in our hearts. Joe was a good son, a cherished brother, a devoted and true blue husband, a great Dad, a supportive father/brother-in-law, a loving grandfather, a caring and sincere Uncle, a loyal friend, and "gung ho" co-worker! One of his greatest joys in life was becoming a grandfather and loving the time he could spend with them. He was a valued family member, a friend to have and one who was always willing to help others. He was an all-American kind of guy, proud to have served his country, and proud to be a union member, always stressing the importance of "buying American". He was a positive and no-nonsense, leading by example and was a respected role model. He was wholesome, strong and healthy throughout his life loving sports, the outdoors; especially the water, traveling and was proud of his career as a lineman. He always prided himself for his strong work ethic and accomplishing everything he set out to do. Whatever he put his hand to was always made better. Joe had a great sense of humor and the ability to laugh at himself. He was a man of integrity who said what he meant and meant what he said, standing up for what he believed in. He was easy to talk to and after meeting him he would probably know your life's story in no time flat! He was a story teller and a man that could answer most any trivia question thrown at him. He will be sadly missed forever. Joe also served his community serving on the United Way Board of Directors, Oneida County Community Action for ten years, CNY Labor Council for ten years, and was IBEW Local 310 Union Steward 14 years. In 1986, he ran for County Legislator 36th District, but lost to a republican! One last note about Joe Rollo is that he had food on the brain and absolutely "lived to eat," always anticipating his next meal! Joe is survived by this loving wife, Marilyn; son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Ann-Marie; grandsons, Joseph and Jacob, Scituate, MA; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Robert Mariano, Prescott, AZ; brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Sharon Rollo, Henderson, NV; sister-in-law, Cindy Mondrick, Rome; sister-in-law, Patricia Stewart and her husband James, Long Island; brother-in-law, Dennis Mondrick and his wife Teri, Camden; brother-in-laws, Nick and Douglas Mondrick; godmother, Aunt Rose Rollo, Geneva; special Aunt, Mary Chudyk, Lee Center; special niece, Michele Labigan, Rochester; special nephews, David Mondrick, Jesse and Dylan Stewart; god children, Timothy Kotary, Douglas Mondrick, Brittany Labigan, Alexia Pratt; many other nieces and nephews; cousins; special cousins, Jim and Linda Zito, Jiggs and Jennie Petrucci; special buddies, Ed O'Rourke, Jim Wood, John Donahue; faithful and dependable friends, Don Cole and Chris Schaller and many other special friends who "know" who "they" are; beloved pets; and Aanni, Pippie and Tashia. Joe is predeceased by his parents, many special aunts and uncles, cousins, a niece; Ann Riecker, who he married in 1975, her son Michael, father-in-law, Nicholas W. Mondrick, Jr., and mother-in-law, Laurena M. Rude and her husband, Kenneth, special dogs Casey and Buster. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 3, at 10:00 AM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome, with the Rev. James Tormey officiating. A spring burial with military honors will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery at a date to be announced. Friends and family may call at the Barry Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 2, from 1-3 PM and again from 6-8 PM. The family would like to thank Drs. Matthew McKay and Theresa Gentile, N.P.'s Denise, Karen, Kristen, and special "4" nurses at the Infusion Center in Oneida, Nancy, Jill, Laurie, and Angie for their wonderful care and also, the entire staff there. The family would also like to thank everyone from Hospice for the compassionate care given to Joe and support to Marilyn over the past two months. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe's memory to the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, 3282 Northside Parkway NW, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30327 or at www.JAJF.org, the Humane Society of Rome, Inc., 6247 Lamphear Rd., Rome, NY 13440, or to Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413. To offer online condolences, please go to: www.BarryFuneraIHome.com.