Obituary of Rocco A. Fredo

Elmira - Age 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on October 24, 2023.  Rocco was the son of Joseph P. and Alice L. (Colouche) Fredo.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife Gwendolyn C. (Robinson) Fredo, son Christopher B. Fredo; brother Joseph F. Fredo, and sisters-in-law, Diane K. Robinson and Laura Reed Robinson.  Rocco is survived by his daughter Deborah A. Fredo of Elmira and her daughter Alice J. Keita; son Gregory S. Fredo with Sean R. Driscoll of Kennebunkport; son and daughter-in-law Douglas M. and Amber L. Fredo of Elmira with their children, Lindsay R. Fredo and her children Brier, Hunter, and River; Sara L. (Jim) Gray and their children Anna and Patrick; and Jami L. Fredo and her daughter Emery Reed; Christopher B. Fredo's sons, Michael (Allison Toriello) and their son Dean Rocky and Joseph (Ella Capone) Fredo and their children Christopher, Juliana and Isabella; sister-in-law Mary Fredo of Elmira; brother-in-law Richard W. Robinson of St. James, NC; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Hilfiger of Elmira; and extended family members Fatou Sarr, Deborah (Diarra) Ward, Ana (Coulibaly) Malik, Boi Cheick Junior Coulibaly, Cheick Bafa Rocco Coulibaly and Sebastien Diarra.

Rocco graduated from Elmira Free Academy and earned an Associate's degree from Alfred Agricultural and Technical College.  During the Korean War, Rocco served in the U.S. Army Artillery in Korea and, as Sergeant First Class, was honorably discharged with the Korean Service Medal in 1952, rushing home to marry his wife Gwendolyn just three days later.  Rocco worked in industrial tool sales for Chapin-Owen Co. Inc. for over thirty years.  Upon retirement, he and Gwen fulfilled their lifelong dream, spending twenty years on beautiful Keuka Lake in the company of family and the most wonderful neighbors.  In October, 2017 they joyfully celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.  Rocco was proudly devoted to his ten great grandchildren whom he always referred to as his “blessed angels”.  The Fredo family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the residents of Crosby Cove on East Lake Road for their faithful friendship and the loving care they extended to both Rock and Gwen during some of the best years of their lives.

Family and friends are invited to Rocco’s Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 10:30 am., St. Patrick’s Church, 604 Park Place, Elmira. The Mass will be streamed, please use the following link (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic).  Interment, with committal prayers, will follow at St. Peter & Paul’s Cemetery.

Those wishing to do so may remember Rocco with a donation to the American Diabetes Association, 160 Allens Creek Road, Rochester, NY 14618.