Santo "Zuddy" Rocco DeRose

Santo Rocco “Zuddy” DeRose, age 97 passed away peacefully and comfortably September 5, 2026. Santo was born in Racine Wisconsin on November 19, 1928. Son of the late Raffaele and Assunta (Susie), (Née: Capizzano).

Santo was raised as part of the Blake Avenue Italian immigrant community of which he enjoyed lifelong friendships. He was a graduate of William Horlick High and was an outstanding athlete in several sports. Santo served in the US Army during the Korean War stationed at Fort Benning Georgia where he was selected for special services to play football for the base. With honorable discharge he attended Florida State on a football scholarship where Lee Corso was a teammate. Upon return to Racine, he continued playing semipro football for the Racine Hornets and Raiders. Santo married Sharon (Nee: Hinsman) on February 6, 1953, at Holy Name Catholic Church and enjoyed a 66-year union.

Santo was a longtime employee of the City of Racine Department of Public Works and enjoyed an early retirement to further pursue his passions of: mushroom hunting, golf, bocce ball, softball, preparing and sharing his family Italian dishes. Count yourself lucky if you were on his very short list for “Zuddy’s Famous Giardiniera”. He was a dedicated Cubs diehard fan and thrived on second guessing every in game manager decision. Santo treasured watching and supporting his 4 sons become accomplished competitive athletes.

Surviving are his 4 sons: Ralph (Cindy) DeRose, Daniel DeRose, Dino (Donna) DeRose and Robert DeRose, grandchildren Natalie (Tony) Abbott, Lauren Jackson, Dylan DeRose, Dominic DeRose, Devin DeRose, Katelyn Lackovich, Lukas Goetz; great grandchildren, Gavin, Jaiden, Cameron, Logan, Ava, Emma, A.J. and Reign; sister Josie (Don) Pfaffl, brother Joesph DeRose; nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and teammates. In addition to his parents, Santo was preceded in death by his sisters Alberta (Dominic) Lipari and Mary (Lucky) Hansen.

Relatives, friends and teammates are invited for visitation at the funeral home, Saturday, September 19th, 9-10:30 A.M. A prayer service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32 where Santo will join his wife Sharon in eternal rest.