I am just sick. Joe Rocco died while windsurfing off of Shirley in the bay yesterday. If you know Joe (and most people know him better than I do) then you know this is particularly wrong.
Here's what Newsday has:
"A man who drowned in Bellport Bay off Shirley was an experienced windsurfer from East Islip, police said Sunday.
The 68-year-old windsurfer, identified as Joe Rocco, drowned after Hurricane Irene had blown through Long Island, as strong winds and pounding surf lingered in her wake.
He entered the water off Grandview and Parkview drives in Shirley at about 4 p.m., said Suffolk Det. Sgt. Thomas Groneman.
Rocco was with a girlfriend and some other people, Groneman said.
"He thought he could handle it and went out in the water," Groneman said. "He fell over and wasn't about to stay afloat."
Rocco was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation and taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue, where he was pronounced dead, police said."
It is inconceivable to me that the next time I go to Heckscher I will not spend a few minutes talking to Joe in the parking lot. My condolences to his loved ones.
R.I.P. Joe.
So sad. Our thoughts are with his girl friend and family. Rest in peace.
Posted by: Janis | August 29, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Very sad news
Doug and Nancy
Posted by: Doug Sheeley | August 29, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Rip Joe. May the winds carry you to a better place..................
Posted by: James Gagnon | August 29, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Long Island's water's and beaches, will never be the same. We will miss you.
Posted by: Frank Messina | August 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM
I met Joe in 1989,at Heckshire State Park Field #7, I was a newbie and he was hanging with the "Top Dogs"...
As I was in the process of rigging my brand new "North Sails 5.5" Joe strolls over and gives me rigging tips for that sail, he also eye balled my "9'10" AHD and tweaked my my mast base and "WeedSpeed" skeg. Joe followed that up with an invitation to follow him...
So Here is to Joe...
A friend, a mentor and the best damn windsurfer I have ever had the pleasure to sail alongside of!
Joe was the "Founding Father" of what we called "The Heckshire Chop Hop Club"
"Field 7" will always seem empty without your van in the lot and your rig on the sand.
Joe found wind on the Bay and a swell to launch off of while we sat in our chairs in awe...
Joe, you left us doing what you truly loved
Sail on Brother...
Sail on!
Posted by: Sal D'Addezio | August 31, 2011 at 04:36 PM
We have heard of Joe's passing in Maui and our Aloha goes out to his family for their loss. In Hawaii we believe the most respect you can give to a loved one when they pass is to celebrate their life. Joe passed doing something he loved and we can only hope that brings some comfort to those who loved him.
Posted by: Josh Stone | August 31, 2011 at 08:53 PM
I sailed with Joe in the early 90s at Hecksher. Can't believe it. He was really a great guy, and man did he max out the time on the water. Very sad indeed. Condolences to Marianne, his family and friends.
Posted by: Erik Gardner | August 31, 2011 at 09:26 PM
i will miss my buddy joe. i didn't windsurf but have known joe for 20 years as we skied together, mostly at hunter mtn. my fondest memory was one hell of a big storm in the mid 90's and we were blasting powder all day. of course after that we both hobbled over to our favorite spot "on the bench" and enjoyed happy hour together taking in all the sites! will miss seeing him at hunter this year but will do a run for him when the powder dumps.
as always GO BIG ! joe cap
Posted by: joe capolupo | September 23, 2011 at 07:55 PM