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As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:
Eugene W. LaRocca Jr. (Gene) 78, passed away at Omega House in Hancock, MI on November 8, 2024, after a long battle with cancer.
He earned an MBA from The University of Maryland, College Park, MD. He worked as an Airport Manager at Washington National Airport. He also worked in Real Estate as a Broker and was an Owner/Operator of a trucking business.
Gene was an Army veteran, serving as a Sergeant for the 1 st Cavalry Division, Air Mobile, 2/5, in the Republic of Viet Nam, May 1968 – May 1969. His awards and decorations included the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star for valor.
Gene was known as a loving son, father, husband, grandfather, and brother.
He will be missed for his compassion to all he met, his strength and courage, his mentorship, his pride, support, and encouragement for the family, and he prayed for a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Gene was born July 7, 1946, in Carlisle, PA. He is predeceased by his parents, Eugene W. LaRocca Sr., February 2007, and Gladys J. LaRocca (George), October 1997, and one younger brother, Joseph LaRocca, 1948.
He is survived by his first wife, Marie LaRocca (Berman), who he married in 1971, and his current wife Suzanne Guttman, who he married in 2018, his two children with Marie, Eugene Joseph LaRocca of Alaska and Kimberly Marie LaRocca of Virginia. Three grandchildren from son Eugene Joseph and wife Jieun A. are Gino D., Gianni N., and Gia A. LaRocca, all in Alaska; and stepdaughter Melissa Guttman, VA, daughter of current wife Suzanne. The surviving brothers and sisters are Juliet N. Donnelly, VA, Robert N. LaRocca, PA, Mary J. Staszko (Husband Mark), PA, Mark D. LaRocca, PA, and Lisa A. Erickson McCarren, FL. Eight nieces and nephews.
He earned an MBA from The University of Maryland, College Park, MD. He worked as an Airport Manager at Washington National Airport. He also worked in Real Estate as a Broker and was an Owner/Operator of a trucking business.
Gene was an Army veteran, serving as a Sergeant for the 1 st Cavalry Division, Air Mobile, 2/5, in the Republic of Viet Nam, May 1968 – May 1969. His awards and decorations included the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star for valor.
Gene was known as a loving son, father, husband, grandfather, and brother.
He will be missed for his compassion to all he met, his strength and courage, his mentorship, his pride, support, and encouragement for the family, and he prayed for a more peaceful and harmonious world.
To view Gene’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel has been assisting the family with the arrangements.
