AUGUSTA, Ga. - Mr. Rocco "Rocky" Proto, 89, entered into rest on Wednesday May 20, 2009 at Doctors Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at Platt's Crawford Avenue Chapel with the Reverend David Koetter serving as celebrant. Interment with military honors to follow at Westover Memorial Park. Mr. Proto served his country proudly with the United States Army during World War II. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. Mr. Proto worked for the Veterans Administration until his retirement in 1968. Following retirement, he continued to work as a volunteer with the Veterans Administration logging over 7,800 hours. Mr. Proto was also the commander of American Legion Post 63. Mr. Proto is survived by his four sons, Richard Proto and wife Carrolanne of Graniteville, SC, Patrick Cowart and wife Jacque of Ackworth, GA, David Cowart and wife Denise of Alabama , and Ricky Llorens of Ackworth, GA; his two daughters, Patricia Proto and Sylvia Proto both of Augusta; his grandchildren, Faith Proto, Pamela Michelle Llorens, Brittany Cowart, Dustin Cowart, Ryan Cowart, and Andy Cowart; his great-grandchildren, Jordan Llorens and Hayden Farr; and his brother-in -law, Scotty Veccio of Bristol, Rhode Island. Donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250- 0301 or to the St. Jude Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Pallbearers will be: Ricky Llorens, David Cowart, Dustin Cowart, Steve Cockrell, Jimmy Mantooth, Mike Minehart. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the American Legion Post 63. Platt's Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 706- 733-3636. Please sign the register book and send condolences to: www.plattsfuneralhome.com .
The Augusta Chronicle-May 23, 2009