Ronald Rocco, PaliHi Grad

Ronald Vincent Rocco, a native of Pacific Palisades, passed away in his sleep on December 2 in the comfort of his home in Malibu. He was 55. ‘ Ron grew up on Jacon Way in Pacific Palisades. He attended Marquez Elementary, Paul Revere Junior High, Palisades High School (class of 1971), and UCLA, where he earned a B.A. degree. He studied law before launching his real estate career in the mid-1970s. After beginning at Hernandez Realty in Marina del Rey, Ron joined the Jon Douglas Company (later acquired by Coldwell Banker) and worked from its Santa Monica office for the balance of his career. When real estate professionals bought and sold properties for themselves, they often sought Ron’s expertise, and he soon earned a reputation as ‘the Broker to the Brokers.’ He had a keen sense for value, an eye for a ‘good deal,’ and was widely known as a creative and successful negotiator. Ron had a long and loyal client base and cared deeply about their financial wealth and security. He helped many of his clients buy their first homes and later develop wealth through the acquisition of real estate, following his motto: ‘Never sell, keep buying.’ Ron lived and dreamed real estate, working seven days a week and late into the evenings on behalf of his clients. He enjoyed the process and made buying and selling property fun, often doing zany things to make his clients laugh. But underneath it all there was a professional seriousness and intelligence that always achieved better-than-expected results. His clients came first and he fought hard to get them the best deal possible. ‘ Ron Rocco will be remembered as kind and generous, a loving family man, a good friend, a hard worker and a strong, devoted provider for his family. He loved his family, stereos, surfing, tennis, cars, and collecting rugs and watches. Ron was preceded in death by his father, Vincent Rocco. ‘   He is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his son, Jack of Malibu; his daughter, Kim of North Hollywood; his mother, Norma, and his brother, Randal. A memorial service will be held at Saint Monica’s Church, 725 California Ave., on Friday, December 12, at 2 p.m.