Rocco was very proud to be part of Tallaght community

THERE was a strong turnout in St Mary’s Priory in Tallaght village on Monday for the month’s mind mass in memory of the popular chip shop owner Rocco Macari.

The congregation gathered at the church to remember the impact that Rocco, who set up chippers in Old Bawn, Tallaght village and Castletymon, had on the Tallaght community.

Rocco’s son, Mario, told The Echo: “There was a very good turnout, I’d like to thank everybody that came to the service.

“The church was full, and so was St Anne’s GAA Club afterwards. The turnout was unexpected, but it made me very happy and proud to be part of the Tallaght community.”

After The Echo reported on Rocco’s passing, which occurred in his Italian hometown of Casalattico last month when he was aged 82, many readers shared stories about him on social media.

Members of the community remembered him as a friendly and approachable person, with an excellent sense of humour, and he was held in high regard by his staff, both past and present.

David McCabe, a local ice-cream van businessowner who knew Rocco from when he would go to Macari’s in Old Bawn as a child, decided to name his son, who was born on the day that Rocco passed away, after Rocco – he is named Ryan Rocco McCabe in tribute to him.

When asked what his dad would’ve thought of the turnout at his month’s mind, Mario said: “He would’ve loved it, because he loved mixing with the community.

“It shows you how well he integrated into the community, even with his broken English.”

Mario added that he wanted to thank friends and family for their help and for coming to the mass, Stephen McDonald, Debbie and all the staff at St Anne’s, and David Cummins from DC Print.

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