Birth date: Nov 29, 1946 Death date: Mar 9, 2019
Rocco Gaglioti of Mount Dora, Florida passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the age of 72 years. He was born in Calabria, Italy. Rocco was a chef and former restaurant owner in the Mount Dora area for many years, moving there Read Obituary
Casa Mia restaurant will always be in our hearts as we always loved going there & being "part" of the family...Our love, thoughts & condolences go to all of you...
Fred & Evelyn Casiello
A caring friend... family always came first. One did not have to be blood for Rocco to include you in his "family". Ron met Rocco & Rita before we even moved to Florida & when I came for the weekend to find a place for us to live in December of 1988 as we drove from the airport he told me "I met this wonderful Italian couple, we're going to this little place in Lake Mary to have lunch because I want you to meet them!" That was the start of a friendship that has lasted for over 30 years.
Unfortunately, Ron has been gone for 12 years already, but the bond between our families was forged as we moved through life, work, good times, hard times... the relationship never faltered. We ran businesses together, with one member or another of our families always pitching in whenever was necessary.
Rocco worked as our chef at Pizza Pasta Di Gioia for more than 5 years. His creativity & love of the food he created was always evident. His work ethic was exemplary. There was never a task that he set out to accomplish that he didn't complete. That was so highly evidenced as we went into our next adventure together opening Cafe Stella in Mt. Dora in 2002. In building out the restaurant Rocco, Rita, Ron & I worked together to launch a restaurant that would be a reflection of their beloved Italy creating ambiance & an example of truly authentic Italian cuisine.
After Ron's passing in 2006, Rocco & Rita created their own wonderful restaurants carrying on so many of the traditions that we had developed together & bringing their own unique & charming characteristics along with the warmth & touch of the love of family that was always in evidence. Whenever I would walk in, regardless if I hadn't been there for months or had been there the day before Rocco would throw open his arms & grin from ear to ear welcoming me like I was the Queen of England! Then.. came the question "So what do you want to eat!?! ...and he was off to the kitchen to prepare something delicious for me to enjoy. I always felt like I was coming home!!
We spent birthdays, holidays, family picnics... celebrations of all types as we shared our lives together. We watched as our children grew into adults going through all the joys & trials & tribulations that families experience. We shared the good times & bad together but Rocco's friendship never wavered. The fortitude of his commitment to his family & friends unwavering.
Whenever our daughter Alexis came home from college or her life away from Florida, she always wanted to be sure that we made the time to at least have a meal with Rocco & Rita. When she was getting married & had to have a traditional Italian cookie table it could not be without Rita's famous Christmas treats of struffoli. We went to the restaurant & made batch after batch mixing & rolling & cutting & laughing, enjoying sharing our time together. As we started the deep frying process Rocco stepped in to save the day & set up an assembly line to get the job done!! Covered in flour we turned out trays and trays of the delicious Italian treats. It is one of Alexis' fondest memories from those dizzying days just before her wedding. She was "home" spending time with family & one of the few men who could be considered a father figure to her.
Rocco, we will miss you unendingly. You were a pillar standing proud & strong against the wind. We are all fragile & it is not until we suffer the loss of someone of your stature that we realize how that fragility can sneak up & remind us of our own mortality. You were like a brother, you were a good & true friend. The hole that is left by your passing is deep & vast. We will go on, bravely, as you would want, but life was a little sweeter when you were here to share it with us.
I believe that you & Ron are enjoying each other's company once again, eating good food, laughing together & sharing a glass of wine as you wait for us to join you to be together again.
Ti voglio bene caro Rocco.
