Rocco Dettore

Rocco Dettore, 93, formerly of Clarks Summit, died Tuesday, August 19 at the Jersey Shore Center in Eatontown, NJ. He was the widower of the late Virginia Pistolese Dettore.

Born in Clarks Summit, he was the son of the late Phillip and Janette Gabriel Dettore.

Rocco was raised in Clarks Summit, enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1941. He was very proud of his time serving our country as a sergeant during World War II. He was assigned to the Flame Throwers and Demolition Platoon, 2nd Marine Division, 18th Battalion. Rocco participated in action against the enemy at Tarawa Atoll, Saipan and Tinian, and Okinowa. He was wounded in action on the Island of Saipan. Rocco received the Certificate of Satisfaction, Presidential Unit Citations, Good Conduct Medal and Purple Heart during his enlistment.

Following an honorable discharge in 1945, he moved to Union, New Jersey. He attended the Essex County Vocational and Technical Institute in the automotive field. In 1948 he went to work for General Motors Buick Division where he became Director of Service Operations for Newark Buick and retired in 1983 after 35 years of service.

Rocco was a talented bowler and golfer; he played in many tournaments in his younger years. He was a sports enthusiast and derived great pleasure in watching baseball and football.

Rocco was a wonderful father who loved being with family and friends. He was courageous, gentle, and caring and will be missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are his daughter Carol Lynn Matlack and her husband, John; two brothers, Philip Dettore and his wife Lois, and Sam Dettore and his wife Ruth; a sister, Joanne Bower; many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Barbara Ann, his sister, Mary Chier; and a brother Jim Dettore.



A Memorial Service will be held at 1 pm on Sunday, August 31st at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA by Msgr. James McGarry