Rocco A. Sidari Sr.

Obituary of Rocco A. Sidari Sr. Albion: Rocco A. Sidari Sr., age 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep December 27, 2016 at the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia. He was born December 19, 1921 in Albion, NY a son of the late Fortuanto and Gladys (Spada) Sidari. Rocco was a lifelong resident of Albion and was a member of Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph’s Church and a graduate of Albion High School, Class of 1939. He served in the U.S. Army from 1940-1945 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sargent. All four of Rocco’s sons served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. Upon discharge from the service, he worked as an Apprentice Carpenter and graduated with Journeyman status. From 1953-1979, Rocco held office in the Carpenters Union as a Business Rep, President and General Agent of the Niagara-Genesee District Council of Carpenters and Past Trustee of Carpenters Local Union Fringe Benefits Fund. From 1972 through 1987 he was Treasurer of the New York State Carpenter’s Labor/ Management Apprenticeship Committee. In 1979 to 1986 he was the Executive Secretary-Treasure of the New York State Council of Carpenters. (Approximately 55,000 members) Rocco also acted many times as Chairman of the negotiating committees for the Local Union, District Council and State Council.
Mr. Sidari had 75 plus continuous years membership in the American Legion. He served as Past Commander of the Sheret Post #35 American Legion and the Orleans County American Legion. He was awarded Life Membership, Post and County Legionnaire of the Year and was also Chef de Gare, of the Orleans County Voiture 40 & 8.
Rocco was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Joan of Arc Assembly 4th Degree and Past Faithful Navigator. He also served as Past Grand Knight of Albion Council #1330 Knights of Columbus.
He was a past member of the Albion and Orleans County Planning Board, an advisory Board Member to the Orleans County BOCES, a 20 plus gallon donor to the American Red Cross and a recipient of the Luigi Antonini Labor Award, given by the Federation of Italian-American Democratic Organizations of the State of New York, for outstanding achievements in the Trade Union movement.
He was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey to the Motor Vehicle Repair Law Appeals Board and served in that position for 17 years. Mr. Sidari then served on the Advisory Board of the Development Center for Business (Genesee Community College) and was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo to the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. He was past member of the Albion-Orleans Correctional Facility Community Advisory Board and a past registered Labor Lobbyist in Albany. Mr. Sidari served for 40 years as a member of the Orleans County Democratic Committee and also served as past Chairman of the Village/Town Committee.
Rocco was predeceased by his wife Angeline in 2005; sons, Jerome, Frank and Rocco Jr.; siblings, Jane Ciccoline, Leonard, Eleanor Irwin and Frank. He is survived by his son, Ed Sidari; grandchildren, Angela (Tim) Faucett, Rocky (Erin) Sidari, Antoinette Sidari, Stephanie (Jason) Dinwiddie, Amy (Ron) Zaccaglino, Dominick (Amber) Sidari; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters, Santa Calles and Louise Felso; daughter-in-law, Rita Sidari and Cathy Boon-Sabo; sister-in-law Jane Sidari and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc. 21 West Avenue, Albion, Monday January 2, from 1:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00. Rocco’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Parish- St. Joseph’s Church, Tuesday January 3, at 10:30am. Interment with military honors at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Family Parish, 106 S. Main St. Albion NY 14411 or Albion Council #1330 Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 322, Albion, NY 14411.