Rocco Bellino

Rocco Bellino passed away on December 25, 2016 at the age of 57 (he would have been 58 on January 2, 2017). A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 12:00 - 1:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home in Orlando. The memorial service will begin at 1:00 PM.

Rocky (as everyone called him) was my partner for nearly 38 years. We met on February 2, 1979 in our native Brooklyn, New York where we resided from 1979 - 2013. In 2013, we moved to Orlando, Florida, marrying on August 5, 2015. Rocky was known for his humor, sharp wit, and intelligence. Music was his primary passion, especially the Rock scene of the 1970's - 1980's. Marc Bolan and T. Rex were his Rock idols, along with David Bowie and numerous others. A massive CD collection and online Facebook friends with similar interests brought him countless hours of concentration and pleasure.

Rocky was at one time a Travel Agent for Warner Communications, planning airline tickets for entertainers, some of whom he met personally. He enjoyed world travel to Tokyo and Paris, yet his first love was the United Kingdom, which he visited over 20 times. I went with him twice, in 1992 and 1998.

Although our interests varied greatly, we enjoyed classic movies and old television shows. Our dogs were always a joyful presence in our lives.

In 1992, Rocky was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. For the last 24 years, he bore with courage and forbearance the gradually increasing pain, and physical limitations of this terrible disease. In the last three years, the deterioration accelerated greatly.

A former work colleague -- and dear friend -- Loretta McMillan said "Everyone who met Rocky loved his spirit. He was one of a kind. He will be missed." Truly, that sums it up quite neatly!

Our Lord Jesus summoned Rocky at this time according to His Infinite Wisdom and Divine Plan. I will miss him greatly, there is now a deep void in my life, as in the lives of his family and friends. For me, it is partially filled by the companionship of our two dogs, whom Rocky personally selected and named, and the council and love of his childhood friend and our neighbor, Lorrie Psomas.

I am consoled by the fact that his terrible physical suffering and emotional despair are at an end, and he is surely with God, his deceased parents and relatives, and the Rock Idols and Hollywood Stars who's talent he so admired. May he know eternal peace, rest, and light!

--Philip M. Scandura.

To share a memory of Rocco or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the "Share Memories" prompt above.