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Dorothy (Cusano) Ruocco

Dorothy (Cusano) Ruocco, 96, of East Haven, passed away peacefully on Jan. 3, 2024, at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was born on March 13, 1927, in New Haven to Frank and Julia (Longobardi) Cusano. Her parents owned a bakery called Cusano’s, raising Dorothy on sweets and breads, preferences she never outgrew.

Dorothy’s early years were filled with various jobs, but her true passion lay in tending to her family, especially alongside her sister. Dorothy met her husband, Pasquale, when she was 17 and he was 18. It all started when Dorothy’s friend developed an interest in Pat. She happened to introduce Pat and Dorothy, and as the story goes, when the two looked at each other, the friend instantly realized…this is love. They continued dating when Pat was drafted into the army, keeping their love story going through letters. When Pat was released and came home, his first stop was not to Dorothy. If you know her, this did not sit well with her. She gathered up all his letters and went to find him. When she found him, she gave him all his letters back, along with a few choice words. But, as the story goes on, they fell in love, got married in 1946, and created their family, building a beautiful life together for 66 years.

Pasquale adored Dorothy; his eyes lit up in her presence, and he stuck by her side whenever possible. He loved teasing her, often winking at their grandchildren while playfully joking on her behalf. Dorothy’s quick wit ensured she always had a comeback ready. One of Dorothy’s favorite comebacks was teasing Pasquale about wearing “high-heeled shoes” when he went out with her in order to match her height. “It is okay; I still love ya, little guy,” she would reassure him. Dorothy and Pasquale valued family above all else, expressing their love through a shared language: food. It is impossible to say who was the better cook, but Dorothy would definitely tell you that it was her. Even in her final days, she was asking her family, “What would you like me to cook for you? Write it down, and I will do it. Anything you want.” A testament to how much she loved to treat her family and friends to a fun time.

Dorothy’s unmistakable love language was humor. Being in her presence meant reveling in bouts of laughter, ranging from punchy one-liners to elaborate stories. Unlike her and Pasquale’s favorite Carlo Rossi Sangria, her jokes really did seem to get better with age. She would always say to her family, “We gotta have the fun. That’s what it is all about.” Even in her final moments, Dorothy maintained her sense of humor. She instructed her family to embody her spirit of fun at her passing, humorously suggesting they approach her coffin and exclaim, “Nonnie, you were right; you were the dirtiest old lady at your age.” Her enduring sense of humor has consistently brightened and will continue to brighten our worlds.

Dorothy leaves behind her three devoted children, Pasquale Ruocco Jr. (Barbara) of Branford, Barbara Mariano (Ronald) of East Haven, and Donna Peltier of Minnesota. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Jennifer Ruocco (Chris), Pasquale Ruocco III, Michelle Phelps (Mike), Gina Gambardella, Ronald Mariano Jr. (Sarah), and Ashley Peltier (Martijn); and seven great-grandchildren. Dorothy is preceded in death by her “little guy” Pasquale Ruocco Sr. (2014); parents; and siblings, Andrew Cusano, Eleanor Gambardella, and Marjorie Rosarbo. We have comfort that they are together again.

Family and friends were invited to meet and attend a Mass of Christian burial on Jan. 9 in St. John Bosco Parish at the Church of St. Mary, 731 Main Street, Branford, with committal/burial following at St. Agnes Cemetery, 295 East Main Street in Branford. All services are under the care of the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in memory of Dorothy Ruocco.