Rocco B. Commisso Funeral Mass Eulogy by Giuseppe B. Commisso

Rocco B. Commisso Funeral Mass Eulogy by Giuseppe B. Commisso

Today we gather in this magnificent cathedral to celebrate the life of Rocco B. Commisso, my father. We come together - family, friends, colleagues, Fiorentina tifosi, clergy, and dignitaries - under the arches of St. Patrick's, both mourning and giving thanks. We mourn a devoted husband, father, and friend. And we give thanks for the remarkable man he was: a titan of industry, a passionate football presidente, an immigrant who embodied the American Dream, and above all, a good man whose kindness changed many lives. In this sacred place, we bring our grief to God, pray for his soul, and ask for the grace to carry his love forward.

My father's story is, as 60 Minutes called it, one of those 'only in America' stories. In 1962, at twelve years old, he crossed the ocean from Marina di Gioiosa Ionica in Italy to New York with hope in his heart. He loved the moment the Statue of Liberty appeared - the whole ship leaning to one side, reaching for the promise of a new life. He arrived with no English, but with faith in God and an unstoppable drive. America gave him opportunity, and he spent a lifetime giving something back. He never treated that opportunity like something he was owed; he treated it like a blessing - and he believed blessings come with a responsibility to lift others. He never forgot the hands that held him - his parents, Giuseppe and Maria Rosa - and the faith and sacrifice they gave our family; he carried that always.

Growing up in the Bronx, Dad seized every chance. He earned a scholarship to Columbia University and graduated in engineering and business. On the pitch he was captain of the Columbia Lions, a three-time All-Ivy League player, even invited to try out for the 1972 Olympic team. And he was a human calculator - he could do the math in his head before the rest of us found a pen. Columbia taught him discipline, teamwork, and integrity, and he carried those values his entire life. Numbers came naturally to him, but character mattered more: show up, do the work, and play for the team.

Those values powered his career. In 1995, in the basement of our family home, he founded Mediacom Communications with a simple idea: bring world-class cable and internet to underserved smaller communities others overlooked. He joked that he went where 'nobody wanted to go' - but he saw promise where others saw risk. With hustle and tenacity, he built Mediacom into a leading provider across 22 states. And in the cable industry, if you heard the name Rocco, you pretty much knew who we were talking about. In a tough industry, he became a legend - someone special even called him 'a rock star of the cable industry' - yet he always remained a hardworking immigrant at heart.

What set him apart was how he led. He built to serve. He treated employees like family and customers like neighbors. His rule was simple: 'Treat people with respect, as you want those people to treat you.' Profit mattered - but people mattered more. He believed trust was earned, and once earned, it was sacred.

His principles were straightforward: lead by example, work hard, take risks wisely, and keep it simple. 'Don't give up,' he'd say. 'Don't take no for an answer.' He believed perseverance and integrity change outcomes - and he loved work because it let him create opportunity for others. He taught us that success isn't one moment - it's a habit, built day by day.

Giving back was central to who he was. Through scholarships and educational support, he helped many students pursue college. He and my mother Catherine made one of Columbia Engineering's largest gifts for undergraduate scholarships, establishing the Rocco and Catherine Commisso Scholarship. And he never forgot the Bronx - he supported Mount St. Michael's, including the Rocco B. Commisso American Dream Fund. He gave quietly, with both hands, and never for applause. He gave because he remembered what it felt like to need a door to open.

Many of you also know my father through his lifelong love of football. In 2019 he bought ACF Fiorentina, the storied club of Florence - not as a hobby, but as a heartfelt connection to his roots. He invested in the club's future and built the Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park, a training center that will serve young players for years to come and it is the largest training center in Italy and among the biggest in Europe. And he gave the tifosi something that matters most: belief. He loved Florence - its history, its beauty, and the pride of its people. He believed a club is more than wins and losses; it is identity and community.

How do we measure a man's life? By accomplishments, yes - and my father's accomplishments could fill a book. But to me, the truest measure is love. He was a devoted husband to my mother Catherine for over 50 years, and the loyalty between them was the foundation of our home. He was the best father my sister Marisa and I could ask for - steady, protective, and present. Even with the demands of his work, he showed up - for the moments that mattered, and for the ordinary days that become our memories. If you want to understand his strength, look at how he loved my mother - faithfully, tirelessly, with quiet devotion. In our home he was not a legend; he was simply Dad. He stayed close to his brother, the late Nicola, and his sisters, Raffaelina and Italia. And he loved being the uncle - and great-uncle - to so many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He had a gift for making people feel seen. Rocco made the people of Mediacom and Fiorentina his family. Everyone who worked with him felt it - and they loved him for it. He could sit with CEOs, with coworkers, with lifelong tifosi - and treat everyone with the same respect. He loved to tell stories, and he had a quick wit that could lighten a room. And he had another gift: music. Dad played the accordion until he was 75, and he would play for family, friends - even business people who asked. And what amazed people was his ear: he could hear a song once and then sit at a piano or pick up the accordion and find it almost immediately. The moment he started, the whole room felt lighter.

Standing here in this cathedral, I want to speak about faith - not in an idealized way, but in a true way. My father didn't talk about religion all the time. I rarely heard him pray out loud. But I believe he lived the faith through his actions - because faith is how we love, how we sacrifice, and how we carry our responsibilities. Today at this Mass, we commend him to Jesus Christ, and we ask Our Lady and all the saints to pray for him.

Today we entrust him to God's mercy. We pray that the Lord who sees every hidden act of goodness has welcomed him into peace - and that he now watches over us, as a father always does. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. And knowing my father, I'm sure he's already keeping busy - still thinking forward, still taking care of the people he loves.

Dear friends, today is not goodbye. Not really. Rocco B. Commisso's spirit remains with us - in the lessons he taught, in the people he lifted up, and in the love he poured into his family. We honor him best by carrying forward what he stood for: integrity, hard work, and respect for every person. He would want us to keep going - with courage, unity, and hope. In the days ahead, we will protect what he built, strengthen it, and face the future with courage and hope. In that way, his American Dream will continue through all of us.

Finally, Dad - thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices you and Mom made, for the values you instilled, and for the love you gave so freely. We will miss your voice, your laughter, your stories, your presence. Our hearts are heavy, but they are full of gratitude and pride. We will carry you with us, Dad - in every good decision, every act of courage, and every act of love. Rest in peace, Dad. Ti vogliamo bene. May God hold you in the palm of His hand until we meet again. Amen.

About Mediacom Communications

Mediacom Communications Corporation is the 5th largest cable operator in the United States and the leading gigabit broadband provider to smaller markets primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. Through its fiber-rich network, Mediacom offers high-speed data, video, phone, and mobile services to over 3 million households and businesses across 22 states. The company delivers scalable broadband solutions to commercial and public-sector customers of all sizes through Mediacom Business and sells advertising and production services under the OnMedia brand. More information about Mediacom is available at mediacomcable.com.