Rocco J. DiDonato Jr.

Portland-Rocco J. DiDonato Jr., 70, of State Street, died on Sunday, October 29, 2017, at Mercy Hospital with his loving family by his side . Rocco was born in Portland on October 7, 1947, the son of the late Rocco J. Sr. and Phyllis G. (Smith) DiDonato. He graduated from Portland High School in the class of 1966. Rocco spent his entire adult life working for the Portland Diocese, he was custodian at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for thirty three years and at Sacred Heart Church for seventeen years. He was a common sight on the alter as a server doing many Masses for daily Mass, weddings and funerals. Rocco was also an amazing musician, self-taught and played completely by ear, instruments included harmonica, accordion, piano, and the organ. He played the organ at the Cathedral and also had the opportunity to play the Kotzchmar Organ at Merrill Auditorium, and could often be heard volunteering his time to play the piano in the lobby of Maine Medical Center. Not only was he proficient at playing but he could tune pianos and organs. Rocco was also an amazing artist, doing portraits of people and mosaic work and volunteered for sixteen years at Maine Medical Center doing Pastoral services. Rocco was a lifelong communicant of the Catholic Church and had a very strong faith. He will long be remembered as a kind, generous, and giving person who was always willing to help others. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Seventy Five State Street and Seaside Nursing Center Wing 1&2 for the kindness and care extended to their brother. Rocco was predeceased by a brother, William DiDonato. He is survived by three sisters, his twin Phyllis "Marie" Wiley-Cushman of Steep Falls, Mary and her husband Tim Cummings of Littleton, Donna and her husband Philip Cox of Portland; two brothers, Frank DiDonato and his companion Virginia Anderson of Portland, Robert and his wife Mary DiDonato of Portland; many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Visiting hours and Celebration of Rocco's life will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:15am on Friday, November 3, 2017 followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. To view Rocco's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make contributions in Rocco's memory to: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101