Orazio "Rocky" Spadaro was born in Modica Sicily on May 12, 1936. He passed away on June 16, 2023, in Austin, TX after a long battle with dementia. He was 87 years old.

At the age of 12 and shortly after WWII, Rocky immigrated to Poughkeepsie, New York along with his older brother, Ralph. Unable to speak English in his new country he was bullied in school which resulted in him fighting the bullies and earning his nickname "Rocky" after the boxer Rocky Graziano. At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, taking the position of the ship's cook because he said, "Everyone wants to be friends with the cook."

After serving his new country, Rocky became a cook at the Hudson River State Hospital for over 39 years. Upon his retirement in 1995, he held the record for the longest serving employee for the State of New York. Rocky loved to cook and was famous for his pasta sauce "gravy," meatball and sausage and peppers. He was asked to cook for many special occasions including events at the Moose Club, where he was a member for many years. Rocky loved walks at Vanderbilts, trips to Atlantic City (especially with his younger brother/best buddy, Michael) and visiting Rhode Island in the summer. Also, Rocky really enjoyed when someone visited and had a cup of coffee with him. You were not allowed to say "No" to his coffee!

Rocky is preceded in death by his father and mother Antonino and Angelina Spadaro, his son Anthony Spadaro, his sister and brother-in-law Mary Anna and Joseph Dosio and his nephew Joseph Dosio Jr.

He is survived by the love of his life for 36 years, Lila Vasquez; his daughter, Anita Spadaro and her husband, George Willey; his grandson, Alex Banovic, and his wife, Kristen; granddaughter, Aryn Kading, and her husband, Patrick; his four great-grandchildren, Addison and Luke Banovic, and Angelina and Grant Kading; his brothers, Ralph (Lina) Spadaro and Michael (Lark) Spadaro, his nieces and nephews, Marnie Spadaro, Micheal Spadaro, Joanna Carrabota, Marie Dosio Coletti, Anthony (Cheryl) Dosio, Nancie Dosio, (Ann) Marchi, Tina (Michael) Capalbo, and many great nieces and nephews, along with Lila's children Linda (Bobby) Scevola, Lisa (John) McCormack, Patricia Fusaro Antich and Anthony Vasquez.

Graveside services and burial with military honors will be held at 11 AM, September 5, 2023, at St. Peter's Cemetery in Poughkeepsie, New York where he will be laid to rest.

Rest in peace Pop, say hello to Tony and don't forget to look at the mountains.

Local arrangements are by Sweet's Funeral Home, Hyde Park. To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit Rocky's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.