Bill Text: VA HR336 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Joseph Charles LaRocco.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-02-08 - Agreed to by House [HR336 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2021-HR336-Introduced.html
Patrons-- McNamara, Fowler, Head and Rasoul; Senators: Edwards and Suetterlein
WHEREAS, Joseph Charles LaRocco, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother and a highly admired educator and coach who made many contributions to the Roanoke Valley community, died on January 17, 2021; and
WHEREAS, a Salem native, Joe LaRocco graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1972 and Roanoke College in 1976; he was a key figure in local and state athletics for nearly 50 years as an athlete, a coach, and a meet official; and
WHEREAS, Joe LaRocco served as a coach at Bassett High School and Cave Spring High School, and he earned six coach of the year awards over the course of 31 seasons as the head of boys' and girls' outdoor track and field, indoor track, or cross country programs; and
WHEREAS, Cave Spring High School's David Garlow won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Group AAA cross country individual state championship under Joe LaRocco's leadership in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Joe LaRocco served as a USA Track and Field or VHSL official for many years; he officiated 33 consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship meets and 25 consecutive VHSL meets; and
WHEREAS, Joe LaRocco was also an active member of a local running group in his community, the Star City Strides; and
WHEREAS, after his well-earned retirement from coaching in 2013, Joe LaRocco continued to serve young people in the Roanoke Valley as a member of the local Eagle Board of Review for the Boy Scouts of America; and
WHEREAS, Joe LaRocco was inducted into the Roanoke College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993, holding seven school records in track and field or cross country at that time; and
WHEREAS, Joe LaRocco will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 42 years, Terry; his daughters and their husbands, Jackie and John Downs and Cathy LaRocco and Jeff Black; his granddaughter, Brigid Downs; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Joseph Charles LaRocco, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and brother and a dedicated teacher, coach, and community leader; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Joseph Charles LaRocco as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.
