Robert "Bob" R. Zanocco

Robert “Bob” R. Zanocco, 85, passed away suddenly on February 5, 2022. Born in Rockford, Illinois on September 17, 1936 son to Anthony and Angelina (Sandona) Zanocco. A 1954 graduate of St. Thomas High School where he played guard on the football team. He married his high school sweetheart, Anne Doherty in 1958 and they raised five girls together. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Also a devoted Catholic who was a familiar face at Holy Family church.

Bob worked for his father at Zanocco Bros Grocery store and went on to work for his uncles at Elm Distributors. In 1966 he began building custom picture frames in the basement of his home. He enjoyed having his own business and in 1971 he opened The Frame Shoppe in the Rural Oaks Shopping Center. His attention to detail, the quality of his work and Anne’s sense of design soon had the business growing quickly. In subsequent years, he opened three DIY framing stores called, “The Framing Place” in the North Towne, Rockford Plaza and Colonial Village shopping centers. In 1981 he moved The Frame Shoppe to Edgebrook Center where he looked over the store until June 2020.

In the ’80’s he learned to ride motorcycles and began to travel the country with his motorcycle “gang,” four great friends and their wives who called themselves “The Open Country Country Club.”

Though he never fully retired, he did allow himself more time off in the last 20 years. He was passionate about trap shooting and shot year round. In the winter months he and Anne would travel to competitions in Florida and Arizona. He collected many trophies over the years and many great friends.

At home, he and Anne created a beautiful garden in the backyard of their house on Hemlock Lane. He spent a lot of time (he would tell you, too much time) tending to the shrubs and flowers that Anne planted. In March of 2020 they moved into a beautiful apartment at Siena on Brendenwood so that someone else could mow the lawn.

Bob was truly loved by everyone who knew him. He was a kind and humble man who didn’t want a “fancy” obituary… sorry dad.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Anne; his children Juliann (Larry Hughes) Zanocco, MaryEllen Jansen, Jeanine Zanocco, Karolyn (Denny Paul) Zanocco, and Christine (Wade Reese) Zanocco, Chippewa Falls, WI; his grandchildren Melissa, Angela, Nicholas, and Joel; his great grandchildren, Madizen, Alexis, Mason, Xander, Blake, Brayden, Alyssa, Rylan, Leelan, Nolen, Arryana, Natalie, Dominic, and recently, his great great grandchild, Andrew. His sisters Janice (James) Erickson and Carole (Dan) Burns of Sioux Falls SD; so many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bob’s wish was to be cremated. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Church on May 20th, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Celebration of Life after the service. Please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com for more information. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Elizabeth’s Center, 1505 S Main Street, Rockford, IL 61102, or the Poor Clares, 2111 S Main Street, Rockford, IL 61102.