Mr. Rocco J. "Sonny" Summa

March 19, 1930 - December 21, 2021

N. UTICA – Mr. Rocco J. “Sonny” Summa, age 91, passed away on the evening of Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center with his loving family by his side. Born in Utica on March 19, 1930, Rocco was the son of the late Carmen and Philomena (Cuda) Summa. Raised in an East Utica neighborhood on the 700 block of Mary St., he attended Roscoe Conkling Elementary and T.R. Proctor High School. After his high school years, Rocco enlisted in the Army National Guard and served stateside during the Korean War at Camp Pickett in Virginia. While there, he attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. On May 2, 1964 Rocco married Eleanor Ferrance at the “family house” in North Utica, a loving union of 55 years until her passing on August 4, 2019. Rocco was an auto mechanic most of his working years, many of which were associated with the late Don Stemmer. He may be remembered most as the manager of the Uptown Mobil Gas Station on Genesee St., which Don owned. In his later years, Rocco worked as a security guard for L.B. Security, a job he enjoyed and was proud of. Rocco guarded many locations, most notably MetLife in Oriskany and the Department of Motor Vehicles, where he also forged many lifelong friendships. Rocco enjoyed gardening, fishing, and tinkering at his workbench. He also enjoyed watching military and animal shows. He had a fondness for cars. Rocco delighted in music of the Big Band Era. He enjoyed watching the New York Yankees, NASCAR racing, specifically Joey Logano, and Tom Brady. Rocco was a member of the American Legion Post 229 in North Utica and was a communicant of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Rocco is survived by his son, Brian J. Summa; his granddaughters, Alexandra N. Summa, Marissa L. Summa, and their mother, Andrea Summa. He also leaves a brother-in-law, James “Jim” Ferrance of CA; a sister-in-law, Frances LaVancha of Lowville. He will also be fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends. Rocco was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Les Diven; his niece, Carolynn Diven; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Jane (Chmielewski) Ferrance; his in-laws, Alice and Rudy Szijarto, Neil Kirch, and Everett LaVancha. He also had the blessings of Elena Summa, Carmen’s second spouse. The family extends their sincere thanks to Dr. Kevin McCormick and the nurses and staff of the Buffalo Household at the Masonic Care Community for their care and compassion. Special thanks is also extended to: Dr. Brian J. Gaffney and the staff of CNY Cardiology; the family of Donald Stemmer; and the family of his lifelong friend Leonard Vetere. In keeping with Rocco’s wishes there will be no public visitation. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Rocco’s Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life on Thursday morning, December 30, 2021 at 10:30 at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, 2222 Genesee St.; Military Honors will be conferred by the U.S. Army. Regardless of vaccination status, face masks are required, to remain in compliance with the state and county mask order. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Rocco’s honor to either the Rescue Mission of Utica, online at uticamission.org; or to the American Heart Association, online at https://www.heart.org/donate; envelopes will also be available at the service.