Rocco L. Renda, 63 of Huntley, passed away on Friday, October 7th at his home following twenty -five years with Multiple Sclerosis.
He was born May 23, 1953 in Chicago, the son of Sam and Virginia (Vitacca) Renda. He grew up in Franklin Park and graduated from East Leyden High Shool. He attended Triton College and received his bachelor’s from Elmhurst College. He earned his Master’s from Roosevelt University. Rocco was united in marriage to Valerie A. Mitchell on October 20, 1979 in Chicago. The couple made their home in Addison and later Hanover Park. In 2005, they moved to Huntley. Rocco worked as an accountant most of his working career. At an early age he began refereeing high school basketball which was a favorite pastime he carried into adult life for many years. He loved baseball and was an avid White Sox fan.
He is survived by his wife, Valerie of Huntley, his daughters, Tracy Trejo of Huntley and Julie Renda of Oswego, his son, Rocco A. Renda of Chicago, his grandsons, Ryan and Brody and his brother, Ben Renda of Schaumburg. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11th at the DeFiore-Jorgensen Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley and on Wednesday, October 12th at church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley. Burial will be in St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, Palatine. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org
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As we contemplated our many years of friendship with Rocky we both remembered celebrating your wedding, helping you move into your first apartment, Rocky's love of basketball and his ability to jog up and down the court as a referee and most of all his love of the White Sox. We remember his healthy days and then the awful diagnosis. Both he and his family carried on with dignity and strength. We celebrate that we could call him our friend. May he rest peacefully.
It is with much sadness to learn that Rocky has left us after such a valiant struggle these past 25 years. Even tho MS took him away from the activities and joy he loved so much, he still had strength to endure and go on, from his love for his family, friends,and watching and talking about his favorite sports teams,especially his White Sox. Heaven now gains ,what we now lose, a super nice guy , great husband, father, and grandfather and friend. With our deepest sympathy , Rod Deb