Obituary of Rocco J. Maio
Rocco “Okie” Maio passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 5, 2018 surrounded by his family.
Okie was born on April 23, 1933 to Mary (Catalfamo) and Antonio Maio. He grew up on Phoenix Street in Canandaigua with his seven brothers and sisters (Francis, Nina, Sally, Dominica, Mary, Frank, and Joseph), and his two cousins (Eufemia and Jean) whom his parents also raised. He attended St. Mary’s School and Canandaigua Academy. He loved baseball and was a pitcher for his high school team.
As a young man, Okie joined the Army and served in the Korean War, earning the rank of Sergeant First Class. When he returned from Korea, he worked for the Lisk Manufacturing Company in Canandaigua. During that time, he met the love of his life, Betty, at a wedding they were both attending. He swept her off her feet in his red Ford convertible, and they were married soon after at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where Okie was a lifelong parishioner. Together, Okie and Betty raised two children -- Ginny and Tony.
Okie loved Canandaigua and, as an employee of Boyce Enterprises in the ‘70s and ‘80s, he served as a manager at two of its most iconic attractions: Roseland Park and the Sheraton Hotel (which later became the Inn on the Lake). Okie could not have been prouder of his town, and especially enjoyed showing it off to visitors. He liked to say, “Next to Heaven, Canandaigua is the most beautiful place on Earth.”
Later in life, Okie worked for Kuras Construction and Bobby Johnson Construction. After Betty retired from her position as a head nurse at the VA Hospital in Canandaigua, Okie and Betty spent their winters in Kissimmee, Florida, where they loved taking day trips to Cocoa Beach.
Okie adored his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Poppy.”
Okie most recently lived at Clark Meadows, where he loved -- and was loved by -- the entire staff. He spent many mornings having coffee with his friends at the Canandaigua McDonalds or Clark Meadows, where they talked about local events and, of course, the New York Yankees.
Okie was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; four sisters, and two brothers. He is survived by his children, Ginny (Rob) Clark, and Tony (Linda) Maio; his sister, Nina Davis; his grandchildren, Mike Maio, Steve Maio, Shaunna (John) Bailey Stith, Shannon (John) Coyne, and Allison (Chris) Morle; and his great-grandchildren, Bobby, Edward, Keira, Brooke, Elle, and Sara Kate.
Calling hours will be held Friday, August 10, 2018 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Fuller Funeral Home, 190 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 95 North Main Street, Canandaigua. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 95 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424, or Clark Meadows at Ferris Hills, 1 Peg Rayburn Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424.