Thomas George Rocks, 82, born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania on March 31st, 1942, the son of the late Hugh N. and Margaret M. Rocks, died on April 1, 2024, in Portland, Oregon, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Present at his passing were Kathy M. Rocks, his loving wife of 51 years, and daughter Jennifer E. Rocks. Tom (Dad, Poppa, Tommy, Uncle Tom, Dr. Rocks), a vibrant, creative lover of people and community, will be fondly remembered for his dedication to all he put his heart into, including but not limited to his immediate family and large extended family including surviving siblings, Hugh F. Rocks, M. Angela Rocks Shriver and especially his twin sister, Mary C. Rocks, nieces and nephews, his parishes, many educational institutions (particularly Pennsylvania State University where he earned his doctorate degree in Counselor Education), his clients, fellow music and theatre folks, and the greater Waynesboro community.
During the two decades he resided in Portland, Oregon, he was an active member of St. Pius X Catholic church and a volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul Society. Most notably he sang in the church choir and directed the Sweetheart Cabaret for several of those years. He was a member of the Portland Symphonic Choir from 2009-2015 when his Parkinson’s symptoms no longer allowed him to sing. At that time, he transitioned into both leading and participating in many Parkinson’s Resource programs and events. Through all 22 years, Tom was a very involved grandfather to Julia Katherine Connolly, Alexander William Connolly, and Fenn Thomas Connolly. It would be impossible to enumerate the many organizations, activities and leadership roles Tom participated in during the 60 years prior to moving to Portland. Some highlights he will be remembered for are: St. Andrew’s Catholic Church member, his career with the Waynesboro Area School district where he was director of the All-school student and teacher theatrical productions. He was a committee leader of Waynesboro Summer Jubilee, a member of a barbershop quartet “Four the Good Times,” a weekly contributor of “Family Matters” column to the Record Herald newspaper and myriad more community service projects. Tom approached all people with an open mind, open heart and open arms. He touched many with his empathic words and warm hugs. He often noted that “it’s not what you get from other people; it’s what you can give to them.”
Tom was preceded in death by his son Matthew Thomas, and his sisters Ellen Mary Rocks Fulton and Margaret Elizabeth Rocks Camilletti Bosold.
A Mass of Christian burial held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 28, 2024 in St. Andrew Catholic Church, 12 N. Broad St., Waynesboro. Burial will be in St. Andrew Cemetery, Waynesboro.
