Weirton Daily Times
November 1971
Brooke Student Fatally Hurt
Buzz Rocchio, 16, Victim of Underpass Accident
Colliers – Robert A. (Buzz) Rocchio, 16, of RD 1, Colliers, was injured fatally Monday at 4 p.m. while riding in the bed of a pickup truck that was going through the railroad underpass in rural Colliers, almost at the Pennsylvania line.
State police said young Rocchio was riding in a truck operated by Thomas J. Lyke, 16, of St. Johns Road, RD 1, Colliers. David Rocchio, a brother, was in the cab with young Lyke.
Police said Robert Rocchio was sitting on a motorcycle in the back of the truck. The three youths were going to the Lyke home where they had planned to unload the cycle and go for a ride. Robert apparently lowered his head while going through the underpass and raised his head too soon when coming out. He suffered a broken neck and head injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at Weirton General Hospital.
The underpass has a low clearance. It is situated on Colliers Road, going out of Harmon Creek.
The youth was born in Weirton Oct. 26, 1955, a son of Harry and Marlene Kelley Rocchio.
High School Junior
A junior at Brooke High School, Buzz was vice president of the Brooke Band, member of the school chorus and wrestling team and played football his sophomore year.
He was also a charter member of the Youth Commission of Brooke County, a member of the W.Va. All-State Chorus and member of the Colliers Mountaineers 4-H Club. He attended the Colliers United Methodist Church and sang in the choir.
Surviving in addition to his parents are one brother, David, and one sister, Babs, both at home, maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Kelley of Colliers; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Gertrude Ankrom of Colliers; paternal grandfather, Harry Roach of Steubenville; maternal great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kelley, of Cleveland; paternal great grandmother, Mrs. Eugene Stabile of Mingo Junction, and the paternal great grandfather, Clemens Wagner of Manitoba, Canada.
Friends may call at the James Funeral Home, today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The body will lie in state Thursday at the Colliers United Methodist Church from 12 noon to time of services at 2 p.m. The Rev. Mr. Perry I. Stewart will officiate and burial will follow in St. John Cemetery. Follansbee.
*NOTE: Saint John Cemetery Colliers, WV