Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 22, 2022 Retired funeral director turned author releases new book Available on Amazon.com and BarnsandNoble.com By Marianne Salza ecently retired funeral director Stephen Rocco has been utilizing his experiences in the funeral industry and background in psychology and counseling to write his first fictional novels published in June 2022: “The Ecstasy of Pupusas: Filled with Love” and “The Girl R Who Woke Up in the Morgue.” “After 10 years in the funeral business, I wanted to use my skills as a family mediator, so I worked in the court system in Dedham for 15 years,” explained Rocco, a Saugus resident. “These varied jobs ultimately helped me in my writing because I combined my training in psychology with all the people I met. You learn about people’s struggles, grief, and resilience.” In “Ecstasy of Pupusas,” Chelsea, the lonely daughter of a wealthy physician, befriends Maria, the family’s housekeeper. The ladies share their dreams and bond over their love of pupusas, but when a horrible incident alters the families’ lives, Maria, an illegal immigrant, is exiled to her home country of El Salvador. “Their love for one another is challenged by a terrible act in Chelsea’s home, and both families are plunged into worlds of pain,” described Rocco. “The book is about healing, love, and forgiveness.” The fictional drama was inspired by a poignant conversation with Rocco’s neighbor, who, in 7th grade, was forced at gunpoint to join the Salvadorian military under the threat ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $4.119 Mid Unleaded $4.459 Super $4.939 Diesel Fuel $4.899 44 Years of Excellence!! 1978-2022 KERO $8.99 DEF $4.75 9 DYED ULS $4.249 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS Hours: Mon. - Wed. 6AM - 6PM / Thurs. & Fri. 6AM - 7PM / Sat. 7AM - 5PM / Sun. 9AM-1PM of his family being hurt if he did not comply. He eventually escaped through the Mexican desert, where he met his wife, became an American citizen and now manages a cleaning crew. In Rocco’s second novel, “The Girl Who Woke Up in the Morgue,” opiates are claiming the lives of youths in Springdale. When funeral director Sonny Fiorentino – modeled after Rocco’s father – realizes that overdose victim Kelsey Jordan is alive, he saves her, and the pair vow to expose those responsible for the opiate epidemic. “Sonny forms a friendship with the girl who woke up at his morgue, and they make it their mission to uncover a conspiracy in their town,” said Rocco, who set the novel in the early 2000s, when pills were promoted as safe and nonaddictive. “It involves doctors, pharmacists, street dealers, and runners. It was happening all over BOOK | SEE PAGE 13 B Everett residents named to Endicott College Dean’s List The following students from EVERLY, Mass. (July 19, 2022) – Endicott College, the first college in the United States to require internships of its students, is pleased to announce its Spring 2022 Dean’s List students. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must obtain a minimum grade point average of 3.5, receive no letter grade below “C,” have no withdrawal grades and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits for the semester. Everett have met these requirements: Nathalia Haubert, Psychology, daughter of Carin Haubert and Jairo Haubert; Abby Mastrocola, Psychology, daughter of Marguerite Mastrocola and Filippo Mastrocola; Alexander Morisset, Exercise Science, son of Marjorie Morisset and Ephriam Morisset. About Endicott College: The college offers doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degree programs at its campus on the scenic coast of Beverly, Mass., with additional sites online and at national and international locations. Endicott remains true to its founding principle of integrating professional and liberal arts education with internship opportunities across disciplines. For more info, visit endicott.edu. OUR OFFICE HAS MOVED TO 519 BROADWAY, EVERETT SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: Rocco Longo, Owner WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM Prices subject to change Ask about our Heating Oil Conditioner! FLEET
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