PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Richard (Rocky) E. Roraback, 71, of Pittsfield, Mass., passed away suddenly Saturday, November 24, 2018, at Berkshire Medical Center.
He was born in Pittsfield on May 15, 1947, the son of the late Howard B. and Anna P. Lisi Roraback. Richard was a graduate of Pittsfield High School. He married the former Angela Tonoli on December 26, 1966.
Mr. Roraback worked for 28 years at Verizon and New England Telephone, as a splice service tech, before retiring in 1995. He was a member of the IBEW Local 2324 and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
He was an avid golfer, with three holes in one, and was a member of Berkshire Hills Country Club. He also belonged to the North Adams men's hockey league. His passion was coin collecting when he was a youth. He was a loyal New England Patriots, Boston Bruins and Red Sox fan. He enjoyed vacationing in Myrtle Beach with his family and friends, while searching for treasures on the shores with his metal detector.
His grandchildren and family were the light of his life. He loved cooking Italian dinners with his family and loved reading the Bible.
He leaves his loving wife of almost 52 years, Angela Roraback of Pittsfield; daughter Lisa Crocker and husband Douglas of Pittsfield; son Rodney Roraback and wife M’Liss of Forest Grove, Ore.; brother Anthony Roraback of Sacramento, Calif.; sisters Adell Thomas of Pittsfield and Maryellen Tanner Vincent of Rock Hill, S.C.; three grandchildren, Averie, Kyle and Lauren Crocker; and step-grandchildren, Luke, Aidan and Jenna Ayers.
Funeral notice: Funeral services for Mr. Roraback will be held Friday, November 30, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield. Calling hours will be Thursday, November 29, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Boys and Girls Club Berkshire Bruins Hockey team in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.