Rodolfo Roca Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

"Rudy"\r\nRodolfo E Roca, 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2019 at 5:40 PM at his daughter's home in Salt Lake City, UT surrounded by his loved ones. He was born October 22, 1927 in Isabela, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Rudy is the fourth child of eleven children\r\n\r\nHe graduated from Isabela Negros Occidental High School, Philippines and worked his way up to higher education in Manila as a working student and obtained a degree in AB Political Science with a minor Foreign Service from the Lyceum of the Philippines.\r\n\r\nRudy worked as a municipal government officer and in one of his home visits spotted a beautiful dame, Aurora Gurdiel whom he fell in love with and married. His love and devotion to his wife Aurora, was the center of his life. He wakes up early every day, preparing breakfast for her, goes to Catholic mass, then come home with a bouquet of flowers for her. They were happily married for over 50 years.\r\n\r\nThey moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1989 from the Philippines. With his time in Utah, he would volunteer at Crossroad Urban Center, joined the Knights of Columbus, and participated in all activities. As a member of the Philippine Association of Utah, he contributed his singing talent during Christmas time, caroling for fund raising. He enjoyed reading, watching old movies, cooking, and gardening while singing to his flowers for hours.\r\n\r\nHis Catholic Faith was an integral part of his life. He believes a person is made in the image and likeness of God and always saw the goodness in others.\r\n\r\nRudy will forever be cherished in the lives of his daughter Leila, son-in-law Jesse who he claims as his favorite. His grandchildren Pierre (PJ), Aeiko, Zachary (Zach), Jerome, Caera and her husband Peter. His great grandchildren Emmanuel, Devynn, Brexlynn, Myles, Jayden, Marco Vinicio, and McCoy. Brother Augusto Roca, sisters Dolores Roca, Violeta Alivio, and Milagros Arricivita. In death, he joins the love of his life Aurora, his parents Juan and Asuncion Roca and his brothers and sisters.\r\n\r\nA special thanks to Debbie McKowen who facilitated everything to make his stay at home as comfortable as possible and to the Community Nursing Service Hospice staff. Special thanks to Edith, Wendy, and Joelle for the great care. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 1058 W 400 S, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.\r\n\r\nA funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 1040 West 400 South. A vigil service will be held Thursday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary, 372 East 100 South, where friends may call from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Committal, Memorial Lakeview Cemetery, 1640 Lakeview Drive in Bountiful, Utah.