Obituary of Belmonte Ettore Tenaglia

Belmonte “Rocco” Ettore Tenaglia, 92, of Lansdowne, VA passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his residence.

Rocco is preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 63 years, Fiorella Tenaglia, along with his elder sister Maria Domenica D’Angelo. He is survived by his 3 sons Rocco (Mary), Paolo (Stacy), and Angelo. Rocco is also survived by his 7 grandchildren Sophia (Megan), Samantha, Joseph, Isabella (Louis), Carson, Alia, and Christopher, along with many extended family members and close friends.

Rocco was born in Orsogna, Italy, where he was raised by his mother, Angiola, and elder sister, Maria Domenica. Following the destruction of WWII, Rocco began working as a mason to help rebuild his small town. He furthered his practical education by living and working in “the big city” of Torino for 5 years, practicing more intricate sculpting in addition to bricklaying and stone work. While learning his trade, he worked alongside master electrician Pietro Angelucci, and later married his daughter Fiorella in 1956. Rocco immigrated to the United States in 1957, with Fiorella joining him in Washington, D.C. a year later. They welcomed their 3 sons over the next few years as Rocco continued his masonry work as a new foreman.

Rocco started his business, BRT Masonry, in 1980, where he worked until “retirement” throughout the DC Metro area. He was a fair and reliable businessman and was able to secure a consistent working relationship with Andrews Air Force Base and other prominent government buildings in the area. Rocco was committed to his work and often spent many hours on the job to provide for his family, both in the US and in Italy. When he wasn’t working, Rocco would often take Fiorella and the boys to New York to visit with family, or attend the free symphony orchestra concerts on the steps of the Tidal Basin at the US Capitol in D.C. Rocco was an avid opera fan - Italian of course - and was known to weep during a particularly good tenor solo. Rocco’s hobbies included sculpting, gardening, playing Italian cards, making wine, drinking wine with a nice meal and spoiling his grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden St., Herndon, on Friday, May 26th, 2023 between 5-8PM with church services to be held the following day at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 21370 St Theresa Ln, Ashburn, on Saturday, May 27th, 2023 at 10:30 AM. Burial will take place at a later date at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Also, a special thank you to the hospice staff and many home health aids, especially his care provider, Yolanda “Jackie”, who lovingly cared for both Rocco and Fiorella for many years.