Apr. 6, 1947 - Nov. 13, 2012

Rocco P. “Rocky” Papandria, Jr., 65, residing in Lakeville, passed away at 1:30 am Tuesday, November 13, 2012 in the arms of his wife and sons. He was born in South Bend on April 6, 1947 to the late Rocco P. and Helen (Molnar) Papandria, Sr., and remained a lifelong area resident. On October 29, 1982 he married the former Dianne Kovas Papandria, who survives.

In addition to his loving wife, Dianne, Rocky is survived by sons, Christopher “Chris” (Dr. Taryn) Papandria of Fishers, IN, and Dr. Dominic “Nick” (Maria) Papandria of Indianapolis, IN, and sisters, Rebecca (Dan) Reasor and Annette (Kevin) Klingel, both of South Bend, and Sheryl (Dan) Covey of Vandalia, MI. He is also survived by grandsons Gage and Gavin of Fishers, IN, and Aidan and Gabriel, of Indianapolis, IN.

Rocky attended McKinley Elementary School and Jefferson Intermediate School, and then graduated from John Adams High School, Class of 1965. He was the owner and pilot of Fire Dragon Hot Air Balloons for 22 years before retiring. During many of those years he flew his balloon for the local U93 Radio Station and he also leased cold air balloons for advertising. Many members of the local community have special memories of gently flying over the city and surrounding landscape with him.

Although his immediate family called him “Sonny” everyone knew who you meant when you said “Rocky” and he had a broad base of friends. He and Dianne took many wonderful trips through beautiful country on their Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was devoted to his wife, his children and grandchildren and to the home and land that he created. He was his happiest teaching his grandsons to fish or shoot a BB gun or drive a go-cart. He loved tinkering in his barn, clearing trails and cutting wood with his friends. His motto was “Life is not about the destination…it’s about the journey”. His vitality for life and his sense of humor will be missed by all.

Private celebration of life gathering will be held. Friends may visit with family from 4:00 - 7:00 pm Friday, November 16, 2012 in Palmer Funeral Home-Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend.

Contributions in memory of Rocky may be donated to Center for Hospice Care, 4220 Edison Lakes Parkway, Suite 210, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or Children’s Dispensary, Inc. 2015 Western Avenue, South Bend, IN 46619. Online condolences may be left for the Papandria Family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

09/21/2021 DEC