Nickolas Rocco Rinaldi, 87, of Storrs, died Monday, July 16, 2012 in Willimantic. Often referred to by friends as "Rocco" or "Rock", he was born on August 18, 1924 in Hartford to Luigi and Angelina (Longo) Rinaldi. Rocco served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a gunner's mate third class and received commendations from Harry Truman, Secretary of the Navy and his commanding officer. Rocco spent his life in Connecticut where he opened a shoe store with Al Denunzio. On October 23, 1948 he married Zenna Forrest and chose carpentry as his life's work. He loved fishing and reading the newspaper and spending time with friends and family. He was always ready to dance and be the life of the party. He is survived by his children, Doreen McCusker of Randolph, ME, Nickolas Rinaldi and his wife Michelle of Vermont and Louis Rinaldi and his wife Karin of Meriden; his grandchildren, Nicole and Jillian Rush, Gabrielle and Gerald McCusker and great granddaughter Madison Rush. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a brother Mario and a sister Emma Lee. His family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, July 19, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Burial will be private in the Wapping Cemetery, South Windsor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Jimmy Fund at
www.jimmyfund.org
or mail to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. Please visit
www.potterfuneralhome.com
for online memorial guest book.