Anthony Michael Rocchio

December 16, 1933 - October 8, 2022

Anthony Michael Rocchio, beloved teacher and coach, was a Rhode Island native, poet and storyteller who passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 8, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He had lived courageously with dementia for many years. Born on December 16, 1933 to Michael and Ernestine (Donatelli) Rocchio, Anthony grew up on Cottage Avenue in North Providence, Rhode Island, where his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were all neighbors. Anthony lived a long, full life in both Vermont and New Hampshire and cherished his time on the Rhode Island coast with relatives and friends. Until the end of his days, Anthony continued to celebrate friendships crafted from each phase of his life and loved bringing people together.

Upon graduating from North Providence High School in 1951, Anthony attended Norwich University before enlisting in the Army at the age of 18. He trained in the Rocky Mountains for his role as a mountaineer during the Korean War where he led search and rescue missions on Mt Fuji in Japan. That experience was transformative, opening his eyes to the value in understanding other cultures.

His passion for connecting with people defined him and lasted throughout his life, fueling his love of literature. Anthony completed a degree in English at the University of Rhode Island (1958), then earned a Master's Degree in English Literature (1964), focusing on the works of William Faulkner. His teaching career began in Rhode Island as he and his first wife Judith began their family. Moving to Vermont in 1963, Anthony taught English and coached basketball at Montpelier High School. In Montpelier he also directed drama for The Masque , the school's drama club, producing one act and full length plays.

From 1972 Anthony's career continued at Hanover High School in Hanover, New Hampshire as an English teacher and football coach, assisting and then taking over for the legendary Forrest Branch. In his last year at Hanover High his team beat arch rivals Lebanon High School for the first time in 31 years.

In Hanover he would engage in spirited conversations with fellow educators from both Hanover High School and Dartmouth College. He reached out to coaches at Dartmouth for advice and mentoring, forming relationships that would last a lifetime. He always welcomed conversations with students and young people.

Anthony celebrated friendships with good food: it was not uncommon for him to cook for visiting relatives and friends, or arrange a spontaneous trip to his beloved Rhode Island for an afternoon or evening of Italian fare, gathered at a fondly remembered restaurant or in his mother's kitchen on Cottage Avenue.

In 1979, Anthony accepted a position at Providence College as Academic Advisor to Athletes: one of the nation's first such positions. He fostered academic skills and built enduring relationships with student athletes in all sports with a focus on the school's basketball players.

Back in Vermont in 1984, he taught English at Springfield High School until retirement in 1997. He lived with his loving wife of thirty-eight years, Cynthia, in Windsor, amid supportive friends and neighbors. During those years, they enjoyed bicycling, traversing Iowa in the Ragbrai ride, traveling across the Canadian Rockies, and visiting Italy and England.

In retirement, Anthony returned to Dartmouth College athletics, volunteering for football games, greeting everyone with a friendly smile and a kind word. Working at the front desk at the Dartmouth gym, he engaged visitors with conversation throughout the day.

Anthony will be remembered as a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will also be remembered for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His enthusiasm and sense of humor, his love of language and literature, were contagious. He encouraged his children and his students to be understanding, patient, and kind, and to avoid judging others.

Anthony is predeceased by his parents and his younger brother Michael. He is survived by his devoted wife Cynthia DeVaux Rocchio; his loving children Anne Elizabeth (Chris), David (Jackie), Paul, Tina, and Mia (Steve), and by his adoring grandchildren Giulia, Callum, Arianna, Benjamin, and Antonia.

The family is planning a gathering to honor and celebrate Anthony on December 28, 2022, at 12pm at the Norwich Congregational Church. For details of the celebration, please email his daughters Anne ( arocchiododge77@gmail.com ), Tina ( tmrocchio@gmail.com ) or Mia( Miadonata.rocchio@gmail.com ). The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated caregivers at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, NH. Donations to Alzheimer's research may be made in memory of Anthony through Cure Alzheimer's Fund .