OBITUARY: Cape Canaveral Hospital Volunteer Rocco David Veltri, 95, of Cocoa Beach Passed Away Dec. 28

volunteered at the Cape Canaveral Hospital and Our Savior Catholic Church

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Rocco David Veltri passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, having just turned 95 years old.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the 9th child of Italian immigrants and spent most of his life in the nearby town of Aspinwall. He graduated from Aspinwall High School in 1949, where he played football and basketball. After high school, he attended Gannon University and played football for two years. He loved his Pittsburgh sports teams, the Steelers, the Penguins, and the Pirates.

Rocky worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad (Conrail) for over 30 years before retiring as a Train-master in 1996. During his time with the railroad he brought McGruff the Crime Dog to life on Conrail’s Santa Train and various other community events. Known to most as “Rocky” or “Rock,” he was a fixture in the area since relocating from Pittsburgh, PA in 1998.

He worked retirement jobs at Coastal Coffee, Juice ‘n Java, and The Salvation Army and volunteered at the Cape Canaveral Hospital and Our Savior Catholic Church. Rocco was a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4826 in Cocoa Beach.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 56 years, Barbara Ann (Asklar) Veltri. Loving father of Roxanne (Jeffrey) Smith and Francis (Jill) Veltri. Cherished grandfather of Joshua (Romi) Smith, Jason (Michelle) Smith, Justin Smith, Jeremy Smith, Jessica (Matthew) Meyer and Milena Veltri. Beloved great grandfather of Gemma, Alexander, Sean and Ethan.

Services will be held at Our Savior Catholic Church on January 18, 2025 at 10:30am.

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