Angelo LaRocco

Angelo (Andy) A. LaRocco, 84, of Avondale Estates, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, surrounded by his beloved wife and sons.

Born May 5, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, Andy was the eldest child of William and Lee Gordon LaRocco. In his early years, the family lived behind his father's barbershop in Queens. After his brother, Ken, was born, the family moved to Massapequa on Long Island, where his sister, Janet, later completed the family.

Andy attended Plainedge High School, where he was active in student organizations and a letterman in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Hofstra College in Queens, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon graduation, he served six years in the U.S. Army in various command positions, attaining the rank of captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during his tour of duty in Vietnam.

While stationed in Germany, Andy met Alicia Komich, a teacher on the military base. After a brief courtship, they married in Schweinfurt and began their lifelong love of travel during their European honeymoon before returning to the United States to begin their life together.

After his service, Andy began his insurance career in Atlanta with Sun Life of Canada. In 1971, he was promoted to district manager in Hartford, Connecticut. After several winters up north, he decided he preferred Atlanta's milder climate to shoveling snow and returned to join General American before becoming a co-owner of Bill Burt & Associates, which later became A A LaRocco & Associates.

Andy and Alicia raised two sons, Andrew and Jeff, both of whom later joined their father in the family's employee benefits firm. Despite the demands of running a business, Andy was a devoted husband, father and active member of his community. He coached numerous youth sports teams, served as commissioner of the Central DeKalb Baseball League and was president of the Take Down Club. Within Avondale Estates, he served in multiple roles, including PTA president, member of the Zoning Board and finally city commissioner on the Avondale Estates Board of Commissioners.

In later years, Andy's greatest joy came from cheering on his grandchildren at their baseball, basketball and volleyball games, where he and Alicia were their biggest fans.

Andy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alicia; sons Andrew LaRocco (Margaret) and Jeff LaRocco (Cooley); sister Janet Sasso (Skip); and grandchildren Campbell, Kate, Kristen, Alyssa and Amber. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ken.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, followed by a reception at Wild Heaven Brewery in Avondale Estates.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Emory Winship Cancer Institute or Tunnels to Towers.