'Mike' Ronca; D.C. Cobbler And Popular Performer

Michele "Mike" Pompeo Ronca, 77, a retired cobbler in downtown Washington who also sang and played the guitar at weddings and other social functions throughout the Washington area, died Oct. 11 of asthma at his home in the District.

Mr. Ronca was born in Roseto Valfortore, Italy, and immigrated to Washington in 1961. He became part of Washington's sizable immigrant community from his home town, in the Apulia region near Naples. The hub of the D.C. community is the Italian parish of Holy Rosary Church at Third Street NW.

Soon after his arrival in Washington, Mr. Ronca began working as a cobbler at Central Valet, a dry cleaner, shoe repair and tuxedo rental service on H Street NE. He stayed at the shop until it closed in the late 1980s.

Central Valet sponsored a soccer team, and a group of brothers who played on the team worked as chefs at various embassies. Among them were the Tonizzo brothers, who opened the Alpine Restaurant in Arlington County. Mr. Ronca played the guitar and sang Italian songs at the Alpine from the early 1960s until the late 1990s.

He also appeared as a frequent guest on the radio program "Antena Italiana," hosted by Pino Cicala, as well as on "The Italian Hour" TV program in the early 1970s. He advised Cicala on the musical selections for his programs. He also sang at the Italian weddings of the sons and daughters of his paesani, or countrymen.

In the early 1960s, young adults under the guidance of Father Giuseppe Spidolon formed a youth group called Azionne Cattolica and participated in fundraisers for the Holy Rosary Church and the Villa Rosa Nursing Home in Mitchellville. Mr. Ronca played his guitar and sang at every Azionne Cattolica function for no fee.

Survivors include Mr. Ronca's wife of 44 years, Paoletta Ronca of Brookland; two children, Anna Maria Ronca Francis and Alfonso Ronca, both of Silver Spring; and five grandchildren.

-- Joe Holley