Nicholas LaRocca

{{Short description|American politician (1913-1999)}}

{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox officeholder

|image=

|name=Nicholas J. LaRocca

|state_senate=New Jersey

|district=33rd

|term_start=June 24, 1982

|term_end=January 10, 1984

|predecessor=William Musto

|successor=Christopher Jackman

|state_assembly2=New Jersey

|district2=33rd

|term_start2=January 10, 1984

|term_end2=January 7, 1986

|predecessor2=Thomas Gallo
Christopher Jackman

|alongside2=Robert Ranieri

|successor2=Ronald Dario
Jose Arango

|birth_date={{Birth date|mf=yes|1913|10|4}}

|birth_place=Union City, New Jersey

|death_date={{death date and age|1999|8|30|1913|10|4}}

|death_place=

|spouse=

|residence=Union City, New Jersey

|party=Democratic

|alma_mater=Fordham College
New York University

|occupation=

}}

Nicholas J. LaRocca (October 4, 1913 – August 30, 1999) was an American Democratic Party politician who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature from the 33rd district. He served a partial term in the New Jersey Senate succeeding his mentor William Musto and then a single term in the New Jersey General Assembly.

LaRocca lived his entire life in Union City, New Jersey, where he was born in 1913, attended the local public schools and graduated from Union Hill High School. He graduated from Fordham College in 1934 and received a law degree from New York University in 1937, before serving in the United States Army during World War II.Joseph, Christina. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-journal-obituary-of-new-jerse/167112406/ "N. Hudson politicians pay tribute to LaRocca"], The Jersey Journal, September 1, 1999. Accessed March 3, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "LaRocca, a lifelong resident of Union City, attended Fordham College in New York after graduating from Union Hill High School. He received his law degree from New York University in 1937 and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar."

He worked as a legislative aide for State Senator (and Union City Mayor) William Musto at the time of Musto's removal from the Senate for his conviction on receiving kickbacks from a developer. LaRocca was essentially handpicked by Musto to be the Democratic nominee for the special election to fill the remaining 1.5 years of the Senate term.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/23/weekinreview/the-region-in-summary-musto-replaced-not-entirely.html |title=The Region in Summary; Musto Replaced - Not Entirely |last1=Levine |first1=Richard |first2=Carlyle C. |last2=Douglas |date=May 23, 1982 |newspaper=The New York Times |accessdate=March 16, 2019}} In his first bid for elected office, LaRocca defeated independent Libero Marotta, Republican Dennis Teti, and independent Carlos Munoz in a June 23, 1982, special election.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/04/nyregion/politics-court-ruling-may-give-musto-redefined-role.html |title=Court Ruling May Give Musto Redefined Role |date=July 4, 1982 |newspaper=The New York Times |accessdate=March 16, 2019 |last=Sullivan |first=Joseph F.}}{{cite web |url=https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1982/1982-general-results-vacancies-senate-gen-assembly.pdf |title=Special elections to fill vacancies in the State Legislature |publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey |accessdate=March 16, 2019}} In the next regular election in 1983, LaRocca and then-Assemblyman Christopher Jackman switched seats where Jackman ran for Senate and LaRocca ran for Assembly. Both won their respective races.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/08/nyregion/changes-afoot-in-roles-of-state-and-localities.html |title=Changes Afoot In Roles of State And Localities |date=January 8, 1984 |last=Sullivan |first=Joseph F. |newspaper=The New York Times |accessdate=March 16, 2019}} After serving alongside Robert Ranieri for one term from the 33rd district, LaRocca did not seek reelection in 1985.{{cite web |url=https://observer.com/2007/06/the-harvey-smith-club/ |title=The Harvey Smith Club |date=June 6, 2007 |author-link=David Wildstein |last=Edge |first=Wally |website=Observer |accessdate=March 16, 2019}}

He died on August 30, 1999, aged 85.{{cite web |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/ssdi/news/112FD94432575CBA?h=1&fname=nicholas&minit=&lname=larocca&kwinc=&kwexc=&birthy_0=10/1/1913&birthy_1=10/31/1913&birthy_range=1&deathy_0=&deathy_1=&ssnum=&ssstate=&citylast=&cntylast=&statelast=&ziplast=&nonusloc= |title=Social Security Death Index |via=Genealogy Bank |accessdate=March 16, 2019}}