Rock Daigle – June 14, 1922-April 19, 2011

Rock J. Daigle

Resident of San Jose

June 14, 1922-April 19, 2011

A native of Muskegon, Michigan, Rock joined the Army Airforce at age 18 in August, 1940. Stationed in the Pacific Solomon Islands, he flew 56 combat missions as a ball-turret gunner on B-24’s in WWII. Rock was one of only three survivors when a Japanese Tojo fighter crashed into his bomber on May 10, 1944. He worked at GE in San Jose for 26 years before retiring in 1982, and later worked part-time at the Rinconada Golf Club.

For 13 years, until last summer, Rock and his good friend, Connie Bantillo, led a team of University of Notre Dame Alumni volunteers in preparing and serving monthly breakfasts at InnVision’s Julian Street Inn in San Jose. Rock never missed a day despite his aches and pains of advancing age. He enjoyed B24 veteran gatherings, air shows and writing poetry.

Rock was predeceased by Mildred, his wife of 40 years, and step-daughter, Barbara Alkire. He is survived by an older sister, Eloise Daigle, and three younger sisters: Jean (William) Latsch, Joan (Al) Nelson and Wendy (Richard) Backer.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on May 8, 2011.