Syracuse Herald American ( NY ) - January 29, 1995
Deceased Name: ROCCO "ROCKY" PIRRO , 78, DEVOTED CAREER TO FOOTBALL
His career was football, and for 60 years he played and coached offensive lines for teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts and the Syracuse University Orangemen.
Rocco "Rocky" Pirro, 78, of Woods Road, Solvay, died Thursday at Van Duyn Home and Hospital. He had battled Parkinson's Disease in recent years.
His wife, Ida Giarrusso Pirro, said he'd been in the hospital for four years. She remembered him as "a wonderful husband and a wonderful father.
"Very sensitive, very caring," she said. "Everybody loved him. He was just a great guy."
Born in Solvay, Pirro began his football career with Solvay High School, where he played from 1931 to 1936. He continued as a fullback from 1936 to 1940 for Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In 1941, Pirro turned professional and spent two years as a single-wing blocking back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During World War II, Pirro served in the Navy for four years. On his return, he joined the Fleet City Blue Jackets in 1945. He played offensive guard and was captain with the Buffalo Bills until 1949. The next year, the Baltimore Colts hired him as offensive line coach. After the Colts folded in 1951, Pirro became offensive coach for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League.
In 1952, Pirro returned home and became offensive line coach for Syracuse University. During his 21 years at SU, his team played in the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Pirro has also been involved in politics. In 1974, he was appointed to the 120th District State Assembly Seat after serving on the Geddes Town Board and as Geddes Town Supervisor.
He was an executive director of the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center and worked for the Onondaga County Youth Board. In 1976, he began volunteering as a coach for the Salt City Aces, and he coached the Syracuse Bisons to a national semi-pro football ranking in 1977.
Pirro was inducted into the Catholic University Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also named to the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. The week of Oct. 21, 1982 was named "Rocco Pirro Week" in Syracuse.
He was a member of the Geddes Vets, Solvay Tigers, Knights of Columbus, Italian-American Athletic Club, Blind Men and Criers, Varsity Club, Orange Pack, St. Cecilia's Church, Tuscarora Country Club, Geddes Republican Club and the Tyrol Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Rockette Brunetti of Baldwinsville; a sister, Rose Pirro of Henderson Harbor; a brother, John Pirro of Virginia; one granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
His son, Thomas, died in 1989.
Services are at 8:15 a.m. Monday at Pirro & Sons Funeral Home and 9 a.m. in St. Cecilia's Church.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Baldwinsville.
Calling hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 514 Turtle St.
Contributions may be made to St. Cecilia's Church or the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center.
Deceased Name: ROCCO "ROCKY" PIRRO , 78, DEVOTED CAREER TO FOOTBALL
His career was football, and for 60 years he played and coached offensive lines for teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts and the Syracuse University Orangemen.
Rocco "Rocky" Pirro, 78, of Woods Road, Solvay, died Thursday at Van Duyn Home and Hospital. He had battled Parkinson's Disease in recent years.
His wife, Ida Giarrusso Pirro, said he'd been in the hospital for four years. She remembered him as "a wonderful husband and a wonderful father.
"Very sensitive, very caring," she said. "Everybody loved him. He was just a great guy."
Born in Solvay, Pirro began his football career with Solvay High School, where he played from 1931 to 1936. He continued as a fullback from 1936 to 1940 for Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In 1941, Pirro turned professional and spent two years as a single-wing blocking back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During World War II, Pirro served in the Navy for four years. On his return, he joined the Fleet City Blue Jackets in 1945. He played offensive guard and was captain with the Buffalo Bills until 1949. The next year, the Baltimore Colts hired him as offensive line coach. After the Colts folded in 1951, Pirro became offensive coach for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League.
In 1952, Pirro returned home and became offensive line coach for Syracuse University. During his 21 years at SU, his team played in the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Pirro has also been involved in politics. In 1974, he was appointed to the 120th District State Assembly Seat after serving on the Geddes Town Board and as Geddes Town Supervisor.
He was an executive director of the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center and worked for the Onondaga County Youth Board. In 1976, he began volunteering as a coach for the Salt City Aces, and he coached the Syracuse Bisons to a national semi-pro football ranking in 1977.
Pirro was inducted into the Catholic University Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also named to the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. The week of Oct. 21, 1982 was named "Rocco Pirro Week" in Syracuse.
He was a member of the Geddes Vets, Solvay Tigers, Knights of Columbus, Italian-American Athletic Club, Blind Men and Criers, Varsity Club, Orange Pack, St. Cecilia's Church, Tuscarora Country Club, Geddes Republican Club and the Tyrol Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Rockette Brunetti of Baldwinsville; a sister, Rose Pirro of Henderson Harbor; a brother, John Pirro of Virginia; one granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
His son, Thomas, died in 1989.
Services are at 8:15 a.m. Monday at Pirro & Sons Funeral Home and 9 a.m. in St. Cecilia's Church.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Baldwinsville.
Calling hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 514 Turtle St.
Contributions may be made to St. Cecilia's Church or the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center.
Syracuse Herald American ( NY ) - January 29, 1995
Deceased Name: ROCCO "ROCKY" PIRRO , 78, DEVOTED CAREER TO FOOTBALL
His career was football, and for 60 years he played and coached offensive lines for teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts and the Syracuse University Orangemen.
Rocco "Rocky" Pirro, 78, of Woods Road, Solvay, died Thursday at Van Duyn Home and Hospital. He had battled Parkinson's Disease in recent years.
His wife, Ida Giarrusso Pirro, said he'd been in the hospital for four years. She remembered him as "a wonderful husband and a wonderful father.
"Very sensitive, very caring," she said. "Everybody loved him. He was just a great guy."
Born in Solvay, Pirro began his football career with Solvay High School, where he played from 1931 to 1936. He continued as a fullback from 1936 to 1940 for Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In 1941, Pirro turned professional and spent two years as a single-wing blocking back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During World War II, Pirro served in the Navy for four years. On his return, he joined the Fleet City Blue Jackets in 1945. He played offensive guard and was captain with the Buffalo Bills until 1949. The next year, the Baltimore Colts hired him as offensive line coach. After the Colts folded in 1951, Pirro became offensive coach for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League.
In 1952, Pirro returned home and became offensive line coach for Syracuse University. During his 21 years at SU, his team played in the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Pirro has also been involved in politics. In 1974, he was appointed to the 120th District State Assembly Seat after serving on the Geddes Town Board and as Geddes Town Supervisor.
He was an executive director of the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center and worked for the Onondaga County Youth Board. In 1976, he began volunteering as a coach for the Salt City Aces, and he coached the Syracuse Bisons to a national semi-pro football ranking in 1977.
Pirro was inducted into the Catholic University Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also named to the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. The week of Oct. 21, 1982 was named "Rocco Pirro Week" in Syracuse.
He was a member of the Geddes Vets, Solvay Tigers, Knights of Columbus, Italian-American Athletic Club, Blind Men and Criers, Varsity Club, Orange Pack, St. Cecilia's Church, Tuscarora Country Club, Geddes Republican Club and the Tyrol Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Rockette Brunetti of Baldwinsville; a sister, Rose Pirro of Henderson Harbor; a brother, John Pirro of Virginia; one granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
His son, Thomas, died in 1989.
Services are at 8:15 a.m. Monday at Pirro & Sons Funeral Home and 9 a.m. in St. Cecilia's Church.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Baldwinsville.
Calling hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 514 Turtle St.
Contributions may be made to St. Cecilia's Church or the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center.
Deceased Name: ROCCO "ROCKY" PIRRO , 78, DEVOTED CAREER TO FOOTBALL
His career was football, and for 60 years he played and coached offensive lines for teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts and the Syracuse University Orangemen.
Rocco "Rocky" Pirro, 78, of Woods Road, Solvay, died Thursday at Van Duyn Home and Hospital. He had battled Parkinson's Disease in recent years.
His wife, Ida Giarrusso Pirro, said he'd been in the hospital for four years. She remembered him as "a wonderful husband and a wonderful father.
"Very sensitive, very caring," she said. "Everybody loved him. He was just a great guy."
Born in Solvay, Pirro began his football career with Solvay High School, where he played from 1931 to 1936. He continued as a fullback from 1936 to 1940 for Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In 1941, Pirro turned professional and spent two years as a single-wing blocking back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During World War II, Pirro served in the Navy for four years. On his return, he joined the Fleet City Blue Jackets in 1945. He played offensive guard and was captain with the Buffalo Bills until 1949. The next year, the Baltimore Colts hired him as offensive line coach. After the Colts folded in 1951, Pirro became offensive coach for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League.
In 1952, Pirro returned home and became offensive line coach for Syracuse University. During his 21 years at SU, his team played in the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Pirro has also been involved in politics. In 1974, he was appointed to the 120th District State Assembly Seat after serving on the Geddes Town Board and as Geddes Town Supervisor.
He was an executive director of the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center and worked for the Onondaga County Youth Board. In 1976, he began volunteering as a coach for the Salt City Aces, and he coached the Syracuse Bisons to a national semi-pro football ranking in 1977.
Pirro was inducted into the Catholic University Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also named to the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. The week of Oct. 21, 1982 was named "Rocco Pirro Week" in Syracuse.
He was a member of the Geddes Vets, Solvay Tigers, Knights of Columbus, Italian-American Athletic Club, Blind Men and Criers, Varsity Club, Orange Pack, St. Cecilia's Church, Tuscarora Country Club, Geddes Republican Club and the Tyrol Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Rockette Brunetti of Baldwinsville; a sister, Rose Pirro of Henderson Harbor; a brother, John Pirro of Virginia; one granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
His son, Thomas, died in 1989.
Services are at 8:15 a.m. Monday at Pirro & Sons Funeral Home and 9 a.m. in St. Cecilia's Church.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Baldwinsville.
Calling hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, 514 Turtle St.
Contributions may be made to St. Cecilia's Church or the Solvay-Geddes Youth Center.
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