Standardbred owner and breeder Rocco Colangelo, of West Hill, Ont., passed away peacefully in hospital on Sunday (Jan. 12) at 79 years of age.
Colangelo grew up on a farm in a large family in Monteleone, Italy. He immigrated to Canada in 1959 as a young man and embraced his new life in Toronto. He became a proud Canadian citizen in 1965.
In the same year, Colangelo and his brothers started a successful family grocery store business in Scarborough, Ont. Rocco was a hardworking accomplished businessman and loved his family deeply.
Rocco's passions included owning racehorses, Latin dancing, golfing, gardening, and spending time sharing laughs and socializing with friends and family.
A longtime owner and very dear friend of Charalambos Christoforou, Colangelo owned pieces of horses such as Bret Dodger and Pattys Omaha, and was known around the racetrack as one of the nicest people one would ever meet.
Rocco leaves behind his wife Carol, his daughters Sandra and Linda, and his grandson Ricky.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Rocco Colangelo.
My condolences to Rocco's
My condolences to Rocco's family. I knew him slightly from the grocery business and share the same last name (Colangelo, before marriage) and my family also immigrated from Monteleone. Feels like family.
My condolences to the
My condolences to the Colangelo family. RIP Rocco.