(Ret.) Col. Cyrus Vincent Brocato, age 93, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Col. Brocato was born in New Orleans, LA on June 25, 1929. He graduated from St. Aloysius College and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University followed by a Master of Science in Logistic Management from Florida Institute of Technology. He joined the U.S. Army in 1950, fought in the Korea and Vietnam conflicts, and served his country all over the world, eventually being promoted to the rank of Colonel and concluding his distinguished military career as the Assistant Commandant of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Col. Brocato retired from the Army in 1982 but continued to work in the defense industry for over 10 years before retiring for good and finally enjoying some well-deserved rest.
Among his many titles and roles, Col. Brocato cherished three the most: being “Bro” to his wife Doris, being “Dad” to his children, and being “Papa Bro” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren (the children called Doris “Honey”). He was endlessly loving and devoted, and he relished telling stories and being with his family.
Col. Brocato was preceded in death by his parents Sarah (Bollinger) Brocato and C.H. Brocato and by his beloved wife Doris Marie (Bailey) Brocato. He is survived by his daughter Lynne Sarah Anne (Brocato) Daly and her husband Daniel Herbert Daly; his son John Ward Brocato and his wife Donna Kay (Fennell) Brocato; his daughter Gail Rose (Brocato) Lenox and her husband Billy Lenox; his sister Marguerite Rose (Brocato) Ferrara and her husband Salvador Anthony Ferrara; his grandchildren (Ret.) Sgt. Kevin Daniel Daly, Ryan Keith Daly, Sarah Kathleen (Daly) Randolph, Donna Bailey (Brocato) Staples, Theodore Vincent Brocato, and S.J. Brocato; and his great-grandchildren Samantha Pauline Marikian, Emma Rose Daly, Nathan J.D. Beard, Jackson Patrick Daly, Lillian Campbell Daly, and Daniel Vincent Daly.
The family would like to thank Dr. Philip Roth, Jr. MD and his team for their longtime and caring commitment to both Col. and Mrs. Brocato.
Visitation for Col. Brocato will be held Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Rd NE, Huntsville, Alabama 35811. The celebration of life service with military honors will occur Friday, November 18, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Valhalla Funeral Home Chapel, 698 Winchester Rd NE, Huntsville, Alabama 35811. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valhallafunerals.com for the Brocato family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Col. Brocato’s name to the American Cancer Society.
