Obituary: Joseph D. Rockwood

Joseph D. Rockwood, 92, recently of Taunton, formerly of Rehoboth, Norton and Mansfield, passed away on Saturday September 22, 2012 at the Morton Hospital in Taunton. He was the beloved husband of the late Rita M. (Cintioni) Rockwood.

Born in Worcester, MA on December 18, 1919, he was a dear son of the late David C. and Anna (Stafinski) Rockwood.

He grew up in Worcester and in the Roxbury section of Boston, and had attended Mechanical Arts High School in Boston.

During WWII, he faithfully served his country in the United States Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Sergeant. He was wed to his late wife Rita on November 16, 1943.

A retired truck driver, Mr. Rockwood had been employed at the Old Colony Packing Co. in Boston prior to retiring in 1979. He had formerly worked as a chef for 12 years at Durgin Park in Boston.

When Joseph was younger, he was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp and also enjoyed making model aircrafts. He was very proud to have known that his ancestry dated back to members of the Rockwood family being founders of Harvard University.

A former communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Mansfield, Mr. Rockwood was a longtime member of the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners Action League. He was also a member of the DAV and was a former member of the Mansfield VFW.

He is survived by his devoted daughters, Sandra Ruscetta and her husband Anthony of Rehoboth and Jirina Riley of Taunton. He is also survived by his cherished 3 grandchildren, Kimberly Gero, Kristine O’Leary and Jeffrey Ruscetta, his 5 great grandchildren, Megan Ruscetta, Lindsay Ruscetta, Nicholas Ruscetta, Mackenzie O’Leary and Cameron O’Leary, and was pre-deceased by his brother, Richard J. Rockwood and his sister, Elizabeth Giapetti.

Services and burial will be held privately, Visiting hours have been omitted.

Contributions in Joseph’s memory may be made to the Rehoboth Office of Veterans Affairs, 148 Peck St., Rehoboth, MA 02769.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.

For additional information, please visit www.shermanjackson.com