Rocco Pizza, Jr., 75
March 12, 1950 – August 20, 2025
Rocco Richard Pizza, Jr. – born March 12, 1950 to Rocco Richard Pizza, Sr., and Anna Barca Pizza in Hudson, NY – passed away peacefully on August 20th, 2025.
On July 7, 1973, Rock married the love of his life, Kathy Sanders, in Syracuse, NY. Their marriage would become a 52-year partnership filled with hard work, shared adventures, and deep devotion to family.
Rock began his career with Rockwell International’s Power Tool Division in Syracuse as a Systems Analyst. In 1978, work moved him to Jackson, TN, and two years later to Tupelo, MS, where he served as Computer Systems Manager. After retiring from Delta in Tupelo, Rock and Kathy built a new chapter together—owning and operating Heirlooms Forever, a sewing machine sales and repair shop. There was hardly a sewing machine or serger he couldn’t fix, and his customers quickly became friends. He understood how important a woman’s sewing machine was to her craft and treated each repair with care. Together, they ran the shop for 35 years before retiring in 2019.
Away from work, Rock’s creativity and technical skills came alive in his model railroading. Over the years, he built elaborate layouts that brought miniature worlds to life—mountains, towns, and industrial parks—each wired and programmed to perfection. His last masterpiece filled an entire two-car garage and reflected both his imagination and precision.
Another passion close to his heart was baseball—especially his beloved Houston Astros. Whether it was watching a game on TV, keeping track of player stats, or sharing game highlights with family, Rock’s enthusiasm was infectious. He celebrated their victories with joy and loyalty, and stuck by them through the ups and downs, always believing the next game could be the big one.
Through it all, Rock’s greatest devotion was to his faith and family. A faithful member of St. James Catholic Church, he served as an usher, washed dishes after CCD dinners, fixed church computers, and lent a hand wherever needed. His quiet service and generous spirit touched countless lives.
Rock is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughter Elissa Stratton (Michael); son Rocco R. Pizza III (Cindy); grandchildren Margaret Pizza, Hudson Pizza, Eli Pizza, Harper Stratton; brother Joseph (Florence); and nieces and nephews Michelle (Gary) Ublacker, JeanAnn (Ryan) Groat, Joseph Pizza (Tony), Jennifer (Chris) Depew.
A Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am, Friday September 5, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church with Father Tim Murphy and Father Henry Shelton as Officiants. A committal will be held at the Church Columbarium. The family will receive friends at 9:00 am at St. James Catholic Church, 845 Lakeshire Dr., Tupelo, MS 38804.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803 (https://www.sanctuaryhospicehouse.com/ ) or St. Luke Food Pantry, 1400 Clayton Ave., Tupelo, MS 38804 (https://stlukefoodpantry.org/ ).
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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