Rocco R. Francesco

Rocco R. Francesco, a 10-year resident
of College Place and formerly of
Mililani, Hawaii, and St. Johnsville,
N.Y., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 13,
2014. Rocky was born April 1, 1930, in Detroit. He
grew up in St. Johnsville, N.Y., and in 1950 joined the
U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Hickam AFB, Hawaii,
Rocky met and married his sweetheart, Martha
Victor. He proudly served in the 1453rd Mobile
Air Transportation Squadron and logged over 4,200
flying hours as an air medevac specialist during the
Korean War, transporting wounded soldiers and airmen
from Japan to Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii.
Among his patients were the first two quadruple amputees
of the Korean War. Rocky earned the Army
Good Conduct Medal, the Korean and United Nations
Service Medals, the National Defense Medal, the
Meritorious Unit Commendation and the marksman
ribbon.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force,
Rocky and Martha moved to St. Johnsville, N.Y.,
where Rocky earned his bachelor’s degree in education
at Vassar College, starting a long and rewarding
career as an educator in Ilion, N.Y. Before Rocky continued
his teaching career in Hawaii, he earned his
master’s degree at Oneonta State University. After
moving to Hawaii, Rocky first taught at Kapalama
Elementary in Honolulu and later at Kipapa Elementary
in Mililani, where he would retire after a very
distinguished career of nearly 30 years of teaching.
Rocky had many interests; among them was his love
for the outdoors, which included fishing and deer
hunting while growing up in New York. After moving
to Hawaii, Rocky became a certified scuba diver.
He learned to spearfish and even managed to spear a
barracuda! Rocky loved his family and he loved life.
One of his favorite songs was Frank Sinatra’s “My
Way.” He would always tell his family and friends
that he would not change a thing and say, “I did it
my way.”

He is preceded in death by his infant son, Jon Francesco;
wife, Martha Francesco; his parents, Mary
and Giovanni Francesco; and his siblings, Gilda Bussone,
Palmena Slaughter, Larry Francisco; and his
son-in-law, Valentine Santarone. Rocky is survived
by his children, Ronald Francesco of Waitsburg, Darlene
Makaena of Mt. View, Hawaii, Desiree McKillip
(Marshall) of Honolulu, Hawaii, Kevin Francesco
(Karen) of North Pole, Alaska, and John Francesco
of College Place. Rocky is also survived by 11 grandchildren;
and 13 great-grandchildren.

Private services were held at Herring Groseclose Funeral
Home, Walla Walla.