Obituary of Edward Rowcotsky

Edward "Rocco" Rowcotsky, age 92, passed away on Sunday, December 21 at home, with his loving wife of 68 years, Catherine "Kitty" by his side. Born in Pottsville, Pa, Rocco moved to Princeton, NJ in 1963 and a year later to Lawrenceville, NJ where he resided for the past 50 years. Rocco started working in the coal mines during his teens, and later as a butcher in a retail market. A veteran of World War II, Rocco served in the Aleutian Islands. In 1961, he entered an apprentice program for the plumbers and pipefitters in Pottsville, Pa. He retired from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 9 Union in 1987. Rocco served as a football coach in Lawrence, umpire and chief in the Lawrence Little League, a member of Slackwood Fire Company for over 20 years, American Legion Post 414 for over 50 years, serving on the Executive Committee. Active in quoit and bocce leagues and tournaments, Rocco was a life member of the Disabled Veterans Association, a charter member of Lawrence Elks, past president of the "Golden Elks", 1992 Elk of the Year and served 4 years on the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee of Lawrence. After retirement, Rocco became a member of the Lawrence Senior Center. Rocco was an avid fisherman and gardener, and loved his family. Reflecting back on his life, Rocco once summed up his feelings saying "life has been wonderful to me. It just couldn't have been better". Rocco is survived by his loving wife Catherine "Kitty", 6 children, Edward "Rick" and Holly Bouchie of Green Valley, Arizona, Robert and his wife Ellen of Lawrenceville, NJ, Ronald and his wife Marianne of Green Valley, Arizona, Dennis and his wife Valerie of Arvada, Colorado, Karen Misselbrook and her husband John of Southhampton, England, Dave and his wife Barbara of Ewing, NJ, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Rocco will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Interment will be private.