Limerick mourns Enzo Rocca a legend of Limerick hospitality

Enzo Rocca passed, peacefully at home, on September 1, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Photo: RIP.ie

Tributes have been posted following the passing of Enzo Rocca, owner of Enzo’s William Street, ‘a central part of many Limerick family’s stories and traditions’

Limerick mourns the loss of one of the mainstays of the city’s hospitality sector as news broke of the passing of Enzo Rocca.

Enzo was well-known as the owner of Enzo’s on William Street, originally opening as an Italian seafood restaurant in 1984, but he and his staff became famous locally for producing some of Limerick’s finest fish and chips.

Enzo Rocca’s journey to becoming a much-loved figure in Limerick’s culinary scene began in 1972 when at the age of 22 he made the bold decision to leave his hometown of Purgatorio, Italy, following his brother Gino and moving to Limerick. He quickly found work at the then Capri Chip Shop on O’Connell Street.

Sorry to hear of the passing of Enzo Rocca of the famed Enzo’s on William Street. Italian chippers are an institution here and the community have added so much to Limerick. Enzo is pictured here with son Raffaele after their renovations in 2017. May he RIP.

📸 @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/0SJgr7aDe4— Olivia O'Sullivan (@oliviaos) September 1, 2023

In 1974 Enzo married his beloved wife Joanne, the happy couple spent some time in Newcastle West where Enzo opened The Golden Grill with his brother Franco, before moving to Ballyhahill, where they settled down to raise their family.

In 2017, the success and love of Enzo’s could be seen as the owner refurbished the store, a testament to the hard work and quality of food produced in the cafe. The effort was acknowledged locally as Limerick City Tidy Towns awarded Enzo their monthly Tidy Towns award for the month of May 2017.

Since the news of his passing, tributes have poured in for the Limerick legend, with Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan saying, “Sorry to hear of the passing of Enzo Rocca of the famed Enzo’s on William Street. Italian chippers are an institution here and the community have added so much to Limerick.”
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Enzo Rocca. His business has become a central part of many Limerick family’s stories and traditions,” said Cllr Daniel Butler, adding, “My condolences to his family especially Raffaele, his friends and colleagues.”

Another great Limerick institution, Seoda Shows paid tribute on Twitter saying, “Different folk have their favourite chipper in Limerick. ENZO’s is mine. The main man himself overseeing everything since I first went there as a teenager. RIP Enzo Thanks for your unique contribution x.”

Very sad to hear of the passing of Enzo Rocca. His business has become a central part of many Limerick family's stories and traditions.

My condolences to his family especially Raffaele, his friends and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/kuIw0sjGY7— Cllr Daniel Butler (@DanielButlerFG) September 1, 2023

Enzo Rocca passed, peacefully at home, on September 1, 2023, surrounded by his loving family, sadly missed by his wife Joanne, son Raffaele, and daughter Tara, as well as daughter-in-law Elaine, son-in-law Mark, grandchildren Aoibhín, Enzo & Belle, sister Olga, and brothers Gino and Franco, sisters-in-law Mary, Margaret & Linda brothers-in-law Attilio,Tony, Patsy & Conor, nieces, nephews, relatives, the staff of Enzo’s Cafe and many friends.

The family ask in place of flowers, donations can be made if desired to Milford Care Centre or the Irish Cancer Society.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam dílis

Sing the book of condolences here.
More about Enzo’s here.