Rocco A. Villani 86, of Franklin, died peacefully Thursday August 25, 2011 at Milford Regional Medical Center following an illness. He was the husband of the late Dorothy A. (Pellegri) Villani who died in 2010.
Born February 4, 1925, in Walpole, a son of the late John and Lena Villani , he had been a lifelong Franklin resident. Mr. Villani was educated in local schools, and was a graduate of Franklin High School class of 1943.
He worked as a machine operator at the former Kendall Mills in Walpole for over 20 years, and retired from the Town of Franklin where he worked as a custodian in the schools. Following his retirement he became a school crossing guard in Franklin.
He served his country proudly in the United States Army during WWII and attained the rank of private; assigned to the first division, he participated in the battle of Rhineland and was awarded a Purple Heart, & the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Star.
Mr. Villani was a member of the Franklin Senior Citizens, the Association of Retired Persons, Franklin Lodge of Elks, Medway VFW, DAV-Norwood Chapter #90, was a lifetime communicant of St. Mary’s Church, a longtime volunteer for the St. Rocco’s Festival in Franklin, and at the Xaverian Missionary Shrine in Holliston. He also loved to bowl and play horseshoes.
He is survived by 3 daughters; Dianne M. Tattersall of Sandwich, Donna A. Colace of Franklin, and Deborah A. Lozzi and her husband Stephen of Centerville. Also surviving are his grandchildren Karen & Matthew Colace and Joseph Lozzi.
Mr. Villani is the brother of the late Angelina Villani, Marie Marshall and the father in law of the late Frank B. Tattersall, Jr.
FUNERAL AND WAKE INFORMATION
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Wednesday August 31st, at 9:15AM from the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. Franklin, www.oterifuneralhome.com, with a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church 1 Church Sq. at 10AM.
Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.
Calling hours are Tuesday August 30th, from 4-8PM at the funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations in his memory sent to Xaverian Missionary Fathers 101 Summer St. Holliston, MA 01746 would be appreciated.