Steve Del Rocco 1918-2012 So Many Accomplishments - A Tremendous Legacy
	A Great Man who did it all Athlete Soldier Mayor Recreation Director Parade Founder Father Husband Friend
	Steve was a star quarterback for The Somerville High School football team 1937-1938. He was elected to the Somerville High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
	He served his country in World War II. As a sergeant he trained soldiers in boot camp to prepare them for battle overseas.
	He was founder and president of Raritan Recreation 1947-1967. At a dinner to honor him after he retired as director after 20 years, John Pacifico said “Steve Del Rocco was the best 20 year investment Raritan ever made”.
	Steve Del Rocco served as Raritan’s Mayor from 1976-1983. He was instrumental in the construction of the Municipal building and the Raritan Shopping Center. He made sure that the new road (Orlando Drive) was named after Raritan Tavern owner Tony Orlando.
	He started the Basilone Parade after he received a letter from Jo-Ann Liptak’s third grade class. In the early years he was chairman of the Parade Committee.
	A Baseball Field in Raritan is named after him
Raritan Remembers
Rich Bartolucci & Bob Andreychak Rich Bartolucci & Bob Andreychak who today run Raritan Recreation both played baseball when Steve Del Rocco was the Rec Director. They said “He made the little league program the best that it could be. It was everything for the kids.” They remember that Steve never raised his voice and certainly never yelled at an umpire. Rich and Bob fondly recall that there was one Opening Day (about 15 years ago) that Steve was there to throw out the first pitch. That day was such a special day for everyone involved to have the founder of the program return to kick off the season.
Anthony DeCicco “He did a lot of things in his time as mayor, Orlando Drive, the municipal building, and the parade. He was a good friend and one of the best mayors. When we talked it was never about politics, that’s the kind of gentlemen he was. It is a sad day for Raritan to lose a good man like Steve Del Rocco.”
Mayor Jo-Ann Liptak We all mourn the loss of Mayor Steve Del Rocco. He was a true gentleman who led the Borough for two terms in office. He was the mayor when the concept for a tribute to John Basilone was first suggested and he also established the first committee to oversee the running of the parade. Mayor Del Rocco was a good friend and mentor. He truly loved Raritan. The Mayor and Council extend their sympathies to the entire Del Rocco family.
John Pacifico “He accomplished a lot as he knew how to compromise and he knew how to negotiate. He was always willing to help others. He always got along with everybody. His heart was in Raritan.”