[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E109-E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JOE LaROCCO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 2021

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Joseph Charles LaRocco 
of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on January 17, 2021 at the age of 
67. Joe was a longtime coach and educator in Roanoke County who 
encouraged students and athletes toward excellence.
  Joe was born in Schenectady, New York on October 28, 1953. He grew up 
in Roanoke, graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1972, and 
graduated from Roanoke College in 1976. As a young man, he attained the 
rank of Eagle Scout and was a standout track and field and cross 
country athlete, eventually

[[Page E110]]

earning induction into the Roanoke College Athletic Hall of Fame in 
1998. To the benefit of many young people in the Roanoke Valley, these 
activities would remain important to him for the rest of his life.
  After coaching at Bassett High School from 1978 to 1980, he arrived 
at Cave Spring High School to teach American history and government and 
coach boys and girls outdoor track and field, indoor track, and cross 
country. He loved the topic of American history as well as local 
stories of the past, portraying western Virginia founding father Andrew 
Lewis on a number of occasions.
  As a student, Joe set several school cross country or track and field 
records, and as a coach for a combined 31 seasons, he stood out as 
well. In 1980, he helped David Garlow win the Virginia High School 
League (VHSL) Group AAA boys cross country individual championship. He 
also coached future National Football League players Ronde and Tiki 
Barber. His record at Cave Spring earned him six coach of the year 
honors.
  Joe retired from teaching in 2013, but he continued as a USA Track & 
Field and VHSL official and participated in the Star City Striders, a 
local running group. He was also on the Eagle Scout Board of Review. I 
shared several interests with Joe and join with many in the Roanoke 
Valley who will miss this outstanding educator and coach and good man. 
He is survived by his wife Terry; daughters and sons-in-law Jackie and 
John Downs and Cathy LaRocco and Jeff Black; granddaughter Brigid 
Downs; and brothers Jim LaRocco and wife Sharon and John LaRocco. I 
offer them my condolences on their loss

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