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Richard Rocco ‘Rocky’ Borello, 92

Though his family called him Ritchie, Ricky or Dick, Richard preferred to be called Rocky by his friends. Rocky was born on March 18, 1926, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Santo and Mary Borello. He passed away unexpectedly after a sudden, short illness.

When he was a young boy in the depression era of the 1930s, he lived not far from a gravel pit, where he would go to watch the trucks and steam shovels. He had a love for trucks ever since. He loved Ocean Parkway on Brooklyn, very close to Coney Island, and would often go there with his friends. He became a lifeguard at Coney Island and saved many lives. He also lived near Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He would often watch the players work out. He had a life-long love of the Dodgers and still loved the team after it moved to Los Angeles.

As a boy his dad bought him a large Lionel standard-gauge train set for Christmas. He had always loved Lionel trains, but he really loved this one: a large locomotive in gun-metal grey with shiny nickel trim. It had piping and a red fire box, along with big, beautiful, colorful cars. He kept that set like new all his life and developed a love for trains and model railroading.

He loved the Golden Gloves and grew up nearly across the street from where middleweight champion Rocky Graziano lived. Rocky Marciano was his favorite sports hero. He was an undefeated heavyweight champion in the 1950s.

Rocky’s elder brother, Tony, was first violinist for the world-renowned conductor, Arturo Toscanini. Rocky would visit various venues, including Radio City Music Hall, to watch his brother perform. This once precocious kid listened to classical music to his last days. He took after his brother with his own musical talent and was gifted in playing the piano, organ, harmonica and accordion. He didn’t have much use for the guidelines of written music, but if you gave him a tune he could play it by ear.

A young man during World War II, he joined the 15th division, 2nd battalion, U.S. Naval Reserve. He had two close friends who became pilots in the war and were shot down and killed. Rocky was very patriotic and dearly loved his country. He attended a trade school and became a machinist, then worked in manufacturing airplane engines for Wright Aircraft of Patterson, N.J.

He moved with his parents to Staten Island, N.Y., and went into the real estate business with his sister, Nettie. They owned and operated Borello Realty Co. He was a real estate broker in New York for 17 years.

On a blind date he met the love of his life, Rose Louise Orosz. They were married 60 years before she passed away in 2010. They had three children — a son and two daughters, who recall happy summers spent in Shady Maples Bungalow Colony, which was owned by his parents.

Rocky’s namesake, Uncle Rocco, introduced him to the world of camping, fishing and shooting in upstate New York. His uncle brought the entire Borello family to the Catskill Mountains and Rocky’s dad loved it so much that he bought 40 acres there, and later purchased more land. From these experiences Rocky developed a love for the outdoors.

In Staten Island he joined the Richmond Boro Gun Club. He became an expert target shooter and hand loaded his own ammunition. He won numerous awards and medals and was arguably one of the best competition shooters in the country. He also became an NRA safety instructor working with anyone, but especially young people who wanted to obtain hunting licenses.

When Rocky was a child he would get on his tricycle and peddle down the block. He would tell his mother, “Mom, someday I’m going to go far, far away!”

His mom would tell him not to say that; however, in early August of 1966, he packed up his family and moved far, far away to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He had always dreamed of moving to the West; he dreamed of the freedom he didn’t have in New York State; he dreamed of owning, carrying and shooting firearms without the restrictions New York had. He dreamed of the magnificent western scenery, mountains, lakes and big trees. He loved big trees. He found his dream in North Idaho 52 years ago.

Each year Rocky and his son, Rick would hunt for weeks; hunting the states of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Washington. They would hunt for whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, antelope and bear. The family lived on venison all year long, eating little beef and preferring venison. In 2011, at the age of 85, Rocky drew a moose permit and took a bull moose. He was maybe the oldest person in the county that year to harvest a bull moose.

Back East he had taken his family to Quebec, Canada, on vacation where they would fish for Rocky’s two favorite fish: Northern and walleye pike. Here in Idaho his family enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and especially picnicking. He was a devoted family man who brought his children and grandchildren on many fishing excursions. He left behind a legacy of love of the outdoors that his family continues.

Rocky was dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, physical fitness and good nutrition, jogging even into his late ‘80s and weight lifting. He regularly jogged the bike trail along Highway 95, north of Hayden, Idaho. He had a favorite route on the Centennial trail. He parked near the boat launch at Higgens Point, jogged back toward Tony’s Restaurant to the top of the hill where the motel was and back. He continued physical fitness even to the last weeks of his life. He had a strong mind-over-matter philosophy that he demonstrated with his life and behavior. He hit the heavy bag most of his adult life, until weeks before his passing. And even then, he still had the form of a boxer. Until days before his death, he still had a hand crushing grip. He watched the Ironman races and studied the athletes, rooting especially for disabled participants.

Rocky strove for quality in all areas of life. He was a perfectionist. He and his son did everything together. They dreamed of, and searched for, a ranch to purchase. After 12 years of finding nothing that fit their expectations, they finally stepped onto a 335 acre piece of property and instantly knew it was the place they dreamed of. Forty years later, they still believed it was one of the prettiest places this side of heaven.

Likewise, in business, Rocky was quality-minded. Since 1969 he took his mechanical aptitude and his machinist experience and opened a welding alloy supply company. He created his own brand of welding alloy. He distributed the highest quality welding alloy in the world. He supplied much of the United States. His son, Rick, gave up a civil engineering career to go into business with him. He took great pride in what he did; it had to be the best. He believed in quality, comfort and safety. His product was easy for the beginner or experienced welder to use.

He spent much of his free time at gun shows, where he made good friends. He was one of the foremost authorities on classic guns in the Inland Empire. In the 1950s he worked with famed outdoor writer, Warren Page in developing a hand load called “Wildcat” hand loads. He was a mentor for the Inland Wildlife Council and volunteered at the Big Horn Sports and Recreation Show.

He loved loud and fast classic cars. He loved boats, from classics to hydroplanes. It was a tradition for him and his son to go the New York City Boat Show, and when he moved to Coeur d’Alene he continued the tradition by bringing his grandkids to the Spokane Boat Show. He had a Sea-Ray jet boat with a 455 Oldsmobile engine. He souped it up so it would accelerate quickly, run faster and it was loved. He hadn’t had it in the water for some years, but if it had been, it would probably would have been the loudest boat on the lake.

He souped-up his model trains, installing extra-large motors. They were more powerful and ran faster. On occasion, he would have tug-of-war contests to see which of his locomotives was the most powerful.

In the 1980s he had a 1950, almost-metallic-green model 88 Oldsmobile. He would race other fast cars. He put on Hollywood mufflers so it would sound as loud as possible. In his 80s he had a vintage 1970 white Eldorado Cadillac. He beefed up the muffler on this car as well. Later he took them off because they hurt his ears.

Rocky had a straight-forward, tell-it-like-it-is personality. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. He could be comical even when he wasn’t trying to be. Even at the hospital with his recent illness, he would joke with the nurses and doctors. He was a great story-teller and would tell and retell stories about the family from long ago or yesterday. He made the tales hilarious with his facial expressions and sound effects. If there was a party, he was the life of it. He loved life and loved to make people laugh. He reveled in making good times for his family. He never turned away a family member in need and was a faithful provider. He was a fighter, embodying the words ‘True Grit.’ He never quit on anything. He gave us many gifts but he taught us most, that life is precious. He accepted Christ as his Savior and said Jesus was his best friend.

We will treasure all the special family times that were so important to him. He related to each family member their value, and made a point to always show concern for their well-being. He often expressed his love. He treated his three grandchildren like his own children, and was especially close to his great-grandchildren as well. He became a proud great-great-grandfather in November.

He was known to often quote these “grandpa-isms.” “You’re lucky you’re looking at me.” “Some guys don’t make that grade.” “We’ll shoot notes.” “Take it with a grain of salt.” And, “I’ve never had a pain in my life!”

The last week of his life, he was still dreaming his dreams. He dreamed of putting a cabin on his ranch, of putting a barn on his property in Coeur d’Alene; and he dreamed of making a model train layout. Even until the end, he dreamed his dreams.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his older brothers, Tony and Frank Borello and sister, Nettie; his daughter, Alice Marmon and his beloved wife, Rose.

He is survived by his son, Ricky Borello; daughter, Joan Jennings and husband, Phil; grandchildren, Brenda Cook and husband, Scott, Tony Marmon and wife, Gwen, and Clara Jennings. He leaves behind great-grandchildren, Vincent Marmon and wife, Shianne, Zachary Cook and great-great-granddaughter, Brynlee Marmon, who all live in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding areas. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins in New York and Florida. He asked us to remember Him always.

Father, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Grandpa, Friend- we will never forget you. We can’t wait to see you again!

Isaiah 40:31 was grandpa’s favorite scripture...

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Days before he passed on Jan. 23, 2019 he told us, “the love for my family will remain forever.”

A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, and funeral services at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Burial will follow the service at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens. Pastor David Bruyette will be officiating.

Visit Richard’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com