Rocco "Rocky" Louis Lavalle

Long time Iowa Falls resident Rocky Lavalle, 93, passed away Friday, June 14, 2019.  He is survived by four children, Michael Lavalle (Lisa) Des Moines, Iowa; Annette Ford (Steven) Edmonds, Oklahoma;  Thomas Lavalle (Debra) Trumbull, Connecticut; Kevin Lavalle (Verdelle) Pasadena, California, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild and sister Giovanna.  He was preceded in death by wife Bethine of 52 years, brother Louis, sisters Antoinette, Rosemarie and Palma. A first generation Italian, he was born Greenwich Village, New York City.  Rocky enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II. After marriage, he moved to Ames, Iowa to raise a family and operate a grocery with his father-in-law. He then began his 39 year career owning and operating several restaurants in Iowa.  Zeno’s in Marshalltown followed by Rocky’s in Webster City, and then Rocky’s Pizza was opened in Iowa Falls in 1965. Rocky was enthusiastic about community service. He was President of the local Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and Iowa Restaurant Association.  Rocky was a member of the local chapter of Jaycees, American Legion, Elks and Moose. He ran for the 5th District State Senate two times as the “Common Sense Candidate.”  He was in local government for 20 years. He served on the Iowa Falls City Council for eight years and was elected Mayor of Iowa Falls for three terms.  The Sunday Today Show taped a segment regarding the Iowa Caucuses in his restaurant in 1984. In 2004 he was honored by having a street in Iowa Falls named after him, Rocky’s Road.  His family, friends and community will remember him as a warm, outgoing person who made friends everywhere he went. Rocky was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be held at his church at 2:00 pm Tuesday, June 25, 2019; 2712 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126.   Visitation will be at Linn’s Funeral Home, 641-648-2569, 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126 the night before, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, Monday June 24, 2019. For those that cannot attend the services, please send any cards to: Rocky Lavalle Memorial; ℅ Linn’s Funeral Home; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126.

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