Louis "Skip" Nocco

Louis “Skip” Joseph Nocco passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Beacon Ridge in Indiana. He was born on February 10, 1956 and was the son of the late Louis J. and Mary (DeMaria) Nocco.

Skip dealt with being crippled with cerebral palsy his entire life.  From 1961-1969 he attended the D.T. Watson Home for Crippled Children in Leetsdale, PA where he learned to walk, then from 1969-1977 he obtained his G.E.D. from Woodville School for Exceptional Children in Johnstown, PA. He then received his vocational training in bookkeeping from Hiram Rehabilitation Center in Johnstown from 1977-1978.

In 1980 he was awarded Outstanding Handicapped Person of the Year from the Eastern Orthodox Foundation.  To help promote understanding, acceptance, accessibility and opportunities for the handicapped, he was involved in the International Year for Disabled Persons Committee in 1981. He was a strong advocate for the physically challenged.

In 1982 he moved to Clairvaux Commons apartment for physically handicapped where he lived self-sufficiently, which was a tribute to his mother.  He obtained independence and enhanced quality of life with the home-based services from Access Abilities Programs and Services with his attendants, Brittany, Ellen and Tammy.

Skip could be seen motoring on the sidewalks of Indiana in his mechanized wheelchair that was equipped with a big orange reflective safety triangle on the back. Skip was involved with the Young Adult Handicapped organization and could be found selling funnel cakes at their booth at the Indiana County Fair, was a daily patron at the YMCA for swimming for many years and participated in the SNAP (Special Needs Activities Program) for swimming at IUP. Skip was a Salvation Army bell ringer, polka enthusiast, and dedicated listener to Bill Otto’s Oldies Attic.

In 2008 he became a resident of Beacon Ridge for 12 years until his death.  Skip was smart, witty and always aware of his surroundings - didn’t miss a thing. He was known for being the “watchdog” in the Beacon Ridge dining room. He will be truly missed.

He is survived by his sisters, Carol (Len) Black, Homer City, Loretta (Clair) Piper, Indiana and his brothers, Ronald (Misty) Nocco, Indiana and Robert (Donna) Nocco, Danville, California; nieces and nephews, Jason (Amber) Dean, Daniel (Mary) Piper, David Piper, and Dana Piper (fiancé Peter Short), Maya Nocco, River Hone, and Anna and Giuseppe Nocco. He is also survived by his great niece and nephew, Emily and Brian Dean and his aunt, Anabel DeMaria, Indiana.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Josephine DeMaria and his paternal grandparents, Caroline and Cesare Nocco.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 22, 2020 from 3:00-7:00 PM at Bowser Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc, Homer City.

A Blessing Service will be held Tuesday at 9:15 AM at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at St. Bernard’s of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church, Indiana with Father Thomas Federline, the Celebrant.

Interment to follow in the Greenwood Cemetery, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beacon Ridge or Indiana County YMCA.

Due to the current pandemic, we are asking family and friends to please wear a mask.