Idaho State Journal, 04/10/09

MONTPELIER — Nello Gale “Homer” LaRocco 81, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2009. He was born on March 17, 1928, to Joseph E.LaRoccoand May S. Cook in Dingle, Idaho. After graduation from Montpelier High School, Gale enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the QM Co., 24th Infantry in Kokura, Japan, where he received several awards.

Gale married Alice Gardner on January 5, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Gale and his brother, Rex, were well-known for working at the Idaho Billiards, where they worked for several years. After the Billiards closed in the mid-’70s, Gale and his wife moved to Evanston, Wyo., where they worked and retired from Wyoming State Hospital, and in 1981 they moved back to Montpelier.

Gale is survived by three stepchildren, Barbara (Wesley J.) Pike, Berniece (Wesley R.) Laughter and Edwin R. (Cheryl) Jensen. He was known as Papa Rocco to many children. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, a close niece, Faye Sharp, and a close cousin, Pauline Dayton. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers, Rex and Cecil LaRocco, and one sister, Joy Tueller.

There will be a graveside service at noon on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at the Montpelier Cemetery. Interment will be in the Montpelier Cemetery.