Patrick A. DeRocco, Sr. of Peabody, formerly of Melrose, passed away on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at the Beverly Hospital. He was 75 years old. Born in East Boston on August 10, 1933 to the late Geatano & Conchetta (DiMarzo) DeRocco, he was raised in East Boston and attended East Boston High School. Mr. DeRocco was the Owner, President and Treasurer of the Empire Cleaning Company of Wakefield since 1955. He was passionate about his business and gives all the credit to his father for its start. He was a Melrose resident from 1962 to 2004 and lived in Peabody for the last four years. Pat loved his family, the family's vacations, Christmas, Stowe, Vermont, was a life long Red Sox and boxing fan. He was the devoted husband of Madeline A. (Flanagan) DeRocco with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. He was the loving father of Karen A. DeRocco of Manchester, NH, Cheryl A. Thompson & her husband Kenneth of Peabody, Nancy Yodlin & her husband Michael of Beverly, Patrick A. DeRocco, Jr. of Wakefield & Michael DeRocco & his wife Aida of Danvers. Cherished grandfather of Laura Thompson of CA, Christine Thompson of NH, Kenneth, Patrick & Evan Thompson of Peabody, Courtney Yodlin of Beverly, Ismael, Joshua & Ashley DeRocco of Danvers. Caring brother of Helen Crescenzo & her late husband John of Saugus & Christine Rinaldi & her late husband Anthony, also of Saugus. Brother-in-law of 6. Also survived by many nieces, nephews & cousins. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Wed. Oct. 8th at 9AM. Funeral Mass in the Church of the Incarnation 425 Upham St., Melrose at 10AM. Family & friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours Tues. 4-8PM. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Arrangements by The Gately funeral Home of Melrose. Donations in Pat's memory may be made to American Cancer Society-Boston 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For directions or to sign Pat's guest book, please visit www.gatelyfh.com