Rowland 'Hock' F. Hocking, 89, of Cheshire, passed away on May 27, 2012 after a short illness. Born in New Haven on February 15, 1923 to the late Earl and Irene Gruner Hocking. Rowland leaves his wife of 63 years, Shirley Orsag Hocking and his children, Joann Hocking of Naugatuck, and Peter Hocking of Providence, RI. He graduated from Hill House High School in 1940 before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1944. He went on to work at Pratt & Whitney for over 35 years as a systems analyst. He lived in Cheshire for over 50 years and greatly enjoyed gardening when he was not spending time with his family. Friends are invited to his funeral service on Thursday, May 31st at 11:00 a.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney., Ave, Hamden followed by a burial in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Visiting with the family will take place prior to the service from 10 to 11:00 a.m. Contributions in Rowland's memory may be sent to the Gaylord Hospital Memorial Fund , PO Box 400, Wallingford, CT 06492.