Professional musician who entertained at many local venues
WAKEFIELD — Claire M. Rocco, age 92 of Wakefield, passed away peacefully, Sunday, February 5 in Boston. She was born in Lynn on February 2, 1931 and was the daughter of the late Pius and Marguerite (Orioli) Bruni. She was raised in Lynn and was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School and later from Burdette College in Lynn. She went on to work at the General Electric Company in Lynn. She married her husband Gregory in 1951 and they moved to their home in Wakefield in 1953, where they brought up their three children.
Claire loved music. She was a professional musician and played the piano and keyboards. She was often heard playing at the former Hazelwood Cottage Restaurant in Wakefield and also entertained at many area venues, including volunteering at nursing homes and rehab centers. Claire’s uplifting music was always played from her heart and she will be greatly missed by the many lives she touched.
For 30 years, she and Greg enjoyed winters in Hillsboro Beach, Fla. where she loved the ocean, water aerobics, and visits from her family. She was an avid fan of Boston sports teams, especially the Red Sox. Claire and her family took many adventurous trips together over the years, including Colorado, Hawaii, California, Mexico, Cape Cod, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and around New England.
Her greatest love in life was her family. Claire was the beloved wife of Gregory G. Rocco for 71 years. She was the loving mother of Marie Fowler, and husband, Keith, Gregory M. Rocco, and wife, Doreen, and Diane Anderson, and husband, Thane. She was the sister of the late Robert Bruni and was the loving grandmother of Denise, Michael and his fiancé, Lauren, TJ and his wife, Paula, Elise, and Justin. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Olivia, Cassidy, and Anthony.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Sunday, February 12, from 1-4 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home on Monday, February 13, at 11:30 a.m., followed by interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Peabody.
Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
