Published on Morgan Hill Life’s website on December 31, 2015
By Debbie Arambula
Dear Big Brother,
Rocci Cetani
How does one ever say goodbye to YOU, of all people? Honestly, how do we do this? Your death was so sudden, so unexpected, so heartbreaking. Every day my eyes swell with tears when I talk to our brothers, our mother, our father, your wife. Goodbye? REALLY? Wait. Aren’t you planning a future vacation to Kauai or Italy, a 49’ers game party, a family get-together, a crab feed with family and your awesome friends or Maken’ Wine with your baby brother?
We are all wishing for one more day to hear your goofy laugh, see your sparkly blue eyes, admire your handsome gray/white hair, ha ha, see your infectious smile, feel your warm hugs. And I personally just want to kiss your cheek and hug you long and hard and say thank you for being a part of my life, always supporting me in every way possible, always being there for me to fall on if needed, and introducing me to all your wonderful friends.
How happy you have created your life in these past years with your wife, Mary Jo. All your travels and fun adventures together are a story all on their own. What fun you have enjoyed with your huge group of bro-friends & girlfriends in Morgan Hill. It makes my heart so happy that you were so happy.
Living next door to you & Mary Jo, sandwiched on both sides of Mom and Dad, has been the greatest gift of all. Our last minute cocktail parties & dinners with just the 6 of us fills my heart with cherished memories!
How precious life is when you’re truly living it. The memories only a brother and sister can share over the past 55 years, like skating in the garage on a rainy day, summer nights playing hide and seek with all our neighbors, endless fun spent in the pool with you, Paco and Matt. Like being the best man in my wedding, like seeing our grandparents pass on. 54 Christmases together, 55 years of unconditional love and respect, all the while with the deep-hearted belief that blood is thicker than water.
Hey Roc, did you see all the people that came to your memorial? Wow wee! 500 family, bro-friends, girlfriends, even your high school friends. Business associates & neighbors came to honor and celebrate YOU. Did you read all the 100’s of loving messages on your Facebook page? Do you feel the love pour out of all our hearts, to and for you. Yes, Rocci, your infectious open heart has touched 100’s. You are loved and affectionately adored by many!
You pierced our hearts with unconditional love and we all thank you for showing us how to embrace life to the fullest.
Photo courtesy Debbie Arambula
Mary Jo and Rocci Cetani, Jr., during a recent trip to Hawaii.
Arrivederci my sweet brother,
From all of us that love and adore you!
Rocci Cetani, Jr. was born on April 21, 1959 in Tucson, Arizona at Davis Mothan Air Force Base and passed away suddenly of septic shock in Carson City, Nevada. Surrounded by LOVE through his family the entire two weeks of his sudden illness, the nurses nick-named him “The Rock”, for his gallant fight for life.
The Cetani family moved to Morgan Hill in 1974, where they raised four children. Rocci, Jr. was the oldest.
Rocci Jr. is remembered with love by his wife, Mary Jo Cetani, his ex-wife Mary Ollerton, his Mom and Dad, Patricia and Rocci Cetani, Sr., his sister Debbie (Cetani) Arambula & hubby Steve, his brother Paul Cetani & his wife Stephanie, and his brother Matt Cetani & his wife Cayrn, his four sons Rocci III, Tony, Vinny and Logan, and also his step-sons Scott & Kyle and step-daughter, Tara.
Rocci, Jr. worked at NorCal Fire Protection, Inc. since 1996 as the Lead Fire Sprinkler Testing & Maintenance Estimator. Working side by side with his two brothers, Matt Cetani, President and Paul Cetani, Vice President, he helped them start the company in 1995. His sons Rocci III and Tony also work at the company.
Rocci Jr’s expertise in understanding estimating and troubleshooting automatic fire sprinkler systems and other types of fire protection systems was outstanding. He will truly be missed by his fellow workers and throughout the industry. NorCal Fire Protection, Inc is a family owned business, and takes the lead as one of the Bay Area’s largest fire sprinkler companies, with over 22 year’s experience.
