Obituary: Rocco A. DeMato, 57, Of Brookfield

Information and Photo Courtesy Cornell Memorial Home

BROOKFIELD, CT — Rocco A. DeMato, 57, of Brookfield, died peacefully with his family by his side, at Danbury Hospital on Thursday, Sept. 14. He was born in Bridgeport on Apr. 16, 1966, beloved son of Joan (Garamella) DeMato and the late Peter J. DeMato, Sr. He was a graduate of Henry Abbott Technical School. Rocky worked alongside his family, as a truck driver for Chase Equipment, as well as several other local companies.

Rocky enjoyed all aspects of racing throughout his life. He enjoyed dirt bikes, motorcycles and modified race cars. Some of his happiest memories were racing alongside his father at Stafford and Thompson Speedways.

He was fortunate to combine his love of racing as part of his career, working with NASCAR’s Michael Waltrip Team and later Ken Massa Motor Sports as a racecar hauler. He was so proud to have been a part of Team KMMS, winning the National Championship at NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour in 2021.

Rocky was a 15-year member of Charter Oak Motorcycle Club, Danbury Chapter, and made many dear friends there. He also enjoyed fishing.

In addition to his mother, Joan, he will be sadly missed by his cherished children, Chase Ryan DeMato and Katelynn Gorman; his brothers, Peter, Jr. and his wife, Toni, Michael and his wife, Cindy, Christopher and his wife, Jenn, and Daniel and his wife, Susan; his sisters, Carrie Manna and her husband, Michael, and Julia DeMato. He is also survived by his longtime girlfriend, Kelly Walsh, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 20th between the hours of 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Brookfield Funeral Home, 786 Federal Road, Brookfield, CT 06804.
Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to www.StJude.org, the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.