Joseph Michael Rock
Date of Passing:
Joseph Michael Rock, 72, of Riverside, died unexpectedly on Sunday November 17, 2024 at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence. He was the beloved husband of Margaret F. (Thompson) Rock.
Born in Providence, a son of the late Joseph J. and Genevieve (Rafferty) Rock, he was a lifelong resident of Riverside and summered in Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
Mr. Rock was a special education teacher for the East Providence School Department for 26 years and served as the Director of Special Education Department for 2 years before retiring in 2004. He was also an Administrator for the former Behavior Research Institute. After retiring, he continued his work as a Special Education advocate on behalf of children and their families.
Michael was a graduate of East Providence High School Class of 1970, Keene State College Class of 1976 and received a Master’s Degree from Providence College in 2002.
Mr. Rock was a member of the East Providence Teacher’s Association. He also was a volunteer coach for the Riverside Little League, AYSO Girls Soccer, Bayside YMCA basketball, and St. Brendan’s CYO basketball.
Michael enjoyed sailing, golfing, fishing, photography, the Providence Friars basketball team, the Boston Celtics, and New York Yankees. Known for his sense of humor, he loved entertaining family and friends with his stories. His personality was larger than life and could strike up a conversation with anyone.
Besides his wife of 32 years, he is survived by a son, Sean M. Rock and his fiancée Krystal Choup of Warwick; a daughter, Kellie M.G. Rock of Riverside; four brothers, James H. Rock of Riverside, Robert E. Rock and his wife Madonna of East Providence, Stephen F. Rock and his wife Deborah of Westport, MA and John P. Rock and his wife Patricia of Cranston and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother-in-law of the late Sharyn Rock.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Calling Hours on Sunday November 24, 2024 in the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in J. Michael’s memory to Best Buddies International, 100 Southeast Second Street, Suite 2200, Miami, FL 33131 would be deeply appreciated.
To the Rock Family,
Mark and I are truly sorry for your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers
Sincerely,
Mark and Maureen (Sweeney) Nolan
Dear Margaret,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. My heartfelt condolences go out to your entire family. Michael and I shared a unique and special friendship that I will cherish always. He always called me Marky Mark, and I fondly referred to him as Gov’na. His generous heart and his ability to wear his caring nature so openly made him a true friend. We always shared many laughs whenever we were together. I will miss him dearly.
Sending you prayers and love, Barry
Mr Rock was a very special man I had him when I was in school he was a very kind gentleman and always helped people and he was a very nice person to talk to he will be missed and never forgotten he will be in our hearts for ever and in our souls RIP MR ROCK until we meet again
Bob, I found out about this a little late. My apologies for a late condolences.
I hope your brother went peacefully and it seems he had a full life. take care.
Sincere condolences to the entire Rock family. Mike was responsible for me switching careers from inpatient child psych to special education 2 decades ago. I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t be where I am now without his urging and encouragement. He was a great man and will be missed.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Rock family. God Bless.
My condolences to all the Rock clan. Mike will be missed. RIP
So many memories and so many laughs..
Rest in peace Mon Ami… Rest in peace.
Marge I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to your entire family. My thoughts are with you at this sad time
My sincere condolences to the entire Rock clan. Mike was a tremendous advocate for special education and he has left his mark on our whole Townies community
I am so glad that I got to see my good friend Mike Rock when I was in town this summer.I have great.memories of both teaching with him as well as hanging out.Mike had a fantastic sense of humor.What I also saw this summer was the tremendous and loving care he received from Margaret As I always said Margaret you are a saint.Rest in peace my old friend, I would love to see you again
My deepest condolences to the Rock family. Sean, I didn’t get to meet your father but from what I read and having known you, he was an amazing man. I know he’s proud of you and his spirit will live one.
May you and your family and Mike be at peace. 🙏….. Adam
I I grew up in Riverside and went to St Brendans with Mike. Great guy who everybody loved to be around. Condolences to family
I did not have Mr Rock as a teacher but knews kids that did and he changed their lives. He treated his students with respect and dignity and let them know they could achieve things and live productive lives. And even after graduating high school they could still come to him for advice and direction. This guy truly cared about his students and their lives. Rest In Peace Mr Rock.
Marge, Sean and Kellie Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. Because I am out of state, I will not be able to attend Mike’s services on Sunday and express my sympathy in person. Be comforted with the many warm memories you have at this time of sorrow.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I grew up with Margaret and worked with Mike at BRI. My deepest sympathies.
Marge – i am so very sorry to read about Mike’s passing. I have fond memories of him at BRI. He was such a strong advocate for the students, and had a way of infusing humor into that difficult job. My heart and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Marge – i am so very sorry to read about Mike’s passing. I have fond memories of him at BRI. He was such a strong advocate for the students, and had a way of infusing into that difficult job. My heart and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Deepest condolences Jimmy, Robbie, Stephen, and John. We are so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. His humor and love will live in your hearts ♥️
I loved watching Mike with his students. He gave so much to each and every one of them. As each school year progressed, you could see them growing with more confidence. He was one of the best! I am so sorry to hear of his passing. He was truly a miracle worker.
My deepest sympathy to your family
My deepest sympathy Mike and I had a lot of fun working at BRI
Dear Marge,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You remain in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
Fondly,
Caroline Sparhawk
I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Marge,
Please accept my sincere condolences on your unexpected loss. While, I never had the pleasure of meeting Mike, he clearly had an important role in your community, and he undoubtedly has a significant impact on his students, athletes, and other members of the community. May you share in the peace he now enjoys.
Marge, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved husband.
You are in my thoughts.
Dear Margaret,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of your husband. You and your family will be in my prayers. God bless, Tess
Jimmy, Robbie, Steve, and John So sad to hear about your brother, My condolences to all of his family. 🙏
Jim I am very sorry to hear of your loss
Dear Marge and your family,
My deepest condolences to you all for the loss of Michael. My prayers for support and love are with you all during this difficult time.
John:
My condolences to you and your family.
Phil Poirier
Dear Marge I am so saddened to hear of your beloved husband passing. Life brings so many heartaches and we must try and endure. The day before my mother lost her husband too. I’ve been helping her as I am heartened to know your children will too. Please accept my deepest condolences. Love you Marge. 💕
Margaret,
The Menards are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your husband. Sending heartfelt condolences to you and your family! May the cherished memories you hold dear bring some comfort now and in the days ahead! ❤️
Dear Marge, Sean, and Kelly,
My heart is heavy with the loss of Michael. May the memories he created with you bring some comfort during this very difficult time.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your dear husband. You are in our thoughts. 🙏🏻❤️
Margaret, I am so terribly sorry to hear about your husband’s death. Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family on your loss. Keeping you all in my prayers.
Margaret, I’m so very sorry for the loss of you dear husband. Please accept my condolences.
Steve and I want to send our sincere condolences to you and your family. He was a wonderful person. May he rest in peace.
On behalf of the East Bay Retired Teachers Association I’d like to extend our sympathy to the Rock/ Thompson families on the death of Michael. Many of us remember them as children in our classrooms. Both families had teachers amongst us and go back many years. Margaret, I remember you at Oldham when Theresa was in my first grade class. Rob’s children were at Kent Heights School when I taught there. Memories are precious and should be treasured. Your families are in our thoughts and prayers as we lose another member of our extended family.
Please accept my condolences, as a former Terrace neighbor, for the loss of your husband.
My condolences to Margaret and family on your loss.
Rob, Madonna and Family our sincere condolences on the loss of your brother may he RIP in’ Gods Kingdom.
Diane and Richard D’Ascoli
Sincere condolences to Margaret and the entire Rock family. May the love of family and friends surround and comfort you in your grief.
I met Mike at BRI when we worked there in the 80’s. So sorry Margaret and family for your incredible loss.
Rob and Madonna, my deepest sympathy on the passing of your brother/brother-in-law.
Donna
To Jim and the entire Rock Family, My deepest sympathy.
Paul Colvin
My deepest sympathies to all of Mike’s family. I worked closely with Mike when we had students in common. He was able to convince even the most difficult student to want to do well. I loved watching him work. He will be missed.
Deepest sympathy and condolences to Margaret, Sean, Kellie, and Jimmy, Robbie, Stephen, and John. Of course, we will continue to read over and over again in these messages about Mike’s amazing ability to make anyone laugh, He truly did have a personality that was larger than life…..and everyone was drawn to it. I was fortunate to have worked with Mike almost from day one at the new Martin Junior High School, where we were “locker room buddies”. I never minded that duty because Mike greeted me with a song every morning as I approached the library. What a great way to begin and end every school day!
He was quite a character,, and loved by so many.
Mike, you will be so greatly missed by every one of us that had the pleasure of knowing you, and never forgotten. Now you will be entertaining your parents once again, as you watch over everyone else.
The world lost an amazing and much loved person, and heaven gained an amazing, caring, thoughtful, and talented angel.
Rest in God’s Love. Keeping you and your entire family in thought and prayer throughout this most difficult time. Rest in Peace.🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻
Jimmy,Robbie, Steve,John—My condolences on Mike’s passing!!!!
My sincere condolences to the Rock family. I have know Mike since I was a child and had the good fortune to work with him for about ten years at BRI. He was always a positive force of nature. He was part of the EP school system when my children attended and was always an amazing advocate. He will be missed and fondly remembered.
Bob, my sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of your brother. May he RIP
from Jeanne Wylie Sadler
Condolences to you and your family on the passing of your brother.
Bob, Bert and I send out deepest condolences to you. Madonna, and your entire family. We are so sorry to read of his passing. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. So sorry brother!!
I send sincere prayers and condolences to Mike’s family.May he Rest peacefully in Peace🙏🌺
RIP Mike. It was a pleasure to have met and known you. Thanks for the boat ride that one summer day. One of the highlights of my life being on the water with you and Mike and Kelly. You will be missed greatly. Please give Taylor a big hug for all of us. My condolences to all of your family and friends.
As kids, our parents were very close, and we were also. All of the Rock’s were jovial, filled with humor and a great attitude. We are sad to learn of this untimely passing. Annie and I send our sincere condolences to his wife and family. 🙏
My deepest sympathy to Margaret, Sean, and Kellie as well as the extended Rock and Thompson families. I will miss my sweet friend who made me laugh whenever we spoke. I will cherish the memories of our college days in Keene and all the times since. Rest in Peace.
Heaven has received one of earth’s angels. Michael was an advocate for school children and their families in East Providence.
Extending sympathy to the entire Rock family on behalf of the East Providence Education Association. Mike was an outstanding teacher and always put his students first. He was a valued member of the EPEA.
Jean Goulet, Past President, EPEA
One of my greatest friends! I love you, Mike. To Margaret, Sean, and Kellie; you have my deepest sympathy.
I extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Rock family. This is a great loss to you and to our community. May Mike rest in eternal peace.
Mike will be truly missed! His kindness and laughter is something no one can forget. So sorry to his family ! ❤️
Joe Snee – Very sorry to learn that Michael has passed. Many great memories from our family get togethers and Lido Beach vacations. My condolences to his entire family.
My condolences to the Rock family.
May you rest in peace my friend.