Rocco Vincenzo Sivolella

Rocco Vincenzo Sivolella, age 15 and a freshman at Wayne Valley High School, lost his battle with leukemia on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. He was first diagnosed in January of this year, and the past few months have been nothing short of a whirlwind. Rocco received an outpouring of love and support from his friends, the local community, professional athletes, and complete strangers alike. Rocco personified courage, and he never allowed himself to consider this outcome. He kept a positive attitude to the very end, and among his last requests to his parents was; “I just wanna go home.” Although his parents, family and friends are heartbroken beyond measure, the sting in their grief is just a little bit easier to tolerate knowing that Rocco left this world a better place through his love, kindness, and gracious spirit. By all measure, Rocco left this world a better place not only because of who he was, but because of how he treated others while he was with us.

Rocco was a huge sports fan since his earliest years. He loved statistics and was a bit of savant, knowing all the numbers for each team and many players in the NFL and Major League Baseball. He just loved it! He’s a huge fan of the NY GIANTS (and season ticket holder!), and equally devoted to the NY YANKEES. He played Wayne Panthers Football and Little League Baseball since he was a youngster, and he was a standout on the Wayne Valley High School football team this past fall – his freshman year. Rocco was invited to the Wayne Little League opening day this April 23rd, where he joined Mayor Vergano and threw out the first pitch to start the season. It was a great honor and he was thrilled to be there.

For those who knew Rocco, he was a genuinely kind person who was always concerned about others. His girlfriend of two years, Jessica Cappadona, recognized his compassionate and warm personality as early as the 7th grade. Rocco truly cared for and loved her. The relationship and special bond they shared was a gift that they will both always treasure. His mom recalls Rocco offering her comfort when he was just a little kid, saying things like; “it’ll be OK mom.” Recently, Rocco’s teachers from Anthony Wayne Middle School made him a video tribute, and each attested to the positive impact that Rocco had on all of them. Even the hospital staff, who work with hundreds of patients, were moved by Rocco’s compassionate and kind persona, and they found him to be a pleasure to be around. One of his doctors even brought him a guitar in the hospital when they learned that he had recently begun practicing the base guitar. Rocco was inspired by Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and really wanted to learn how to play the base. Rocco had a sort of ‘old soul,’ and could carry on a conversation with anyone, children and adults alike. He would call people on special occasions, like their birthday or on a holiday, just to let them know he was thinking of them. How many 15 year old boys do that? He was equally considerate of his little sister, Antonia, and his little brother, Franco James. He recently spent over an hour, very patiently pitching a whiffle ball to Antonia, teaching her how to hit, and all the while Franco James was riding his tricycle through the pitching lane! Rocco’s patience never waned, because his huge heart would have never allowed it to. They will all miss him dearly.

Rocco is survived by his loving mom; Paula Corrieri of Wayne, his best-friend and dad; Anthony Rocco Sivolella and his wife, and Rocco’s ‘bonus mom,’ Michelle Sivolella of Brooklyn, NY, his sister; Antonia Sivolella and brother; Franco James Sivolella of Brooklyn, NY, grandparents; Vincenzo and Felicia Corrieri of N. Haledon, NJ, and Natalie and Franco DeNicola of Brooklyn, NY, his aunt; Enza Aquino, aunt Gina Yannuzzi and her husband Angelo, and Uncle Paul DeNicola and his wife Enza, and cousins; Mia Aquino, Luca and Ava Yannuzzi, Matteo, Giovanni, and Francesca DeNicola, and Daniel and Samantha Sivolella, as well as an untold number of friends and loved ones. Rocco was predeceased by his paternal grandparents; Nina and James Sivolella.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rocco’s memory would be appreciated to Child Life at NYU Hassenfeld Children's Hospital, www.nyulangone.org