Michael LaRocka, Jr.
Michael “Mickey” J. LaRocka, Jr., 82, of Bulger, Smith Township, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023, in Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.
Mickey was born on December 23, 1940, in Bulger, a son of the late Michael J. and Mary Matazinski LaRocka Sr.
Mickey was a proud U.S. Army Veteran. He was honored to protect and serve the Nation that he loved so much.
After his time in the service, Mr. LaRocka worked as a coal miner for CONSOL Coal. He stayed dedicated to his country and became a life member of the Slovan VFW and the Wounded Warriors.
Mickey was also a devout member of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church.
In his free time Mr. LaRocka loved being outdoors. Whether he was playing softball, golf or bocce ball, Mickey was keeping active outside.
There was truly nothing he loved more than his family. The small town of Bulger was home for Mickey and many of his family members. Most of his family lived right around him all his whole life, making for a very close relationship with all. A lot of Mickeys free time was spent with the people that he loved the most. Making new memories and sharing love and laughter with them was something that he cherished so dearly.
Being a husband, father, grandfather and even a great grandfather were Mickeys favorite roles in life. Watching his family extend and grow into what it is today was something that Mickey was so thankful to witness.
Surviving is his loving wife of 56 years, and best friend, Peggy Abbott LaRocka; daughter, Natalie (Brian) Buydasz; son, Michael (Amy) LaRocka; grandchildren, Derek (Tiffany) , Michael, Cole and Jackson LaRocka; great-grandchildren, Nathan and Camden; and sisters, Sylvia Schnarr and JoAnne Windsheimer.
Along with his parents, Mickey is preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Zysko, Elizabeth Dumaret, Lillian Wasik, Catherine LaRocka, Sam LaRocka and Stanley LaRocka.
Friends and family will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc., 314 W. Lincoln Avenue, McDonald, 724-926-2800. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in St. Isidore the Farmer Parish – St. Alphonsus Church, McDonald. Interment will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2023 at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville.
All are asked to meet at the cemetery the day of burial between 2:15 – 2:25 p.m.