YORKTOWN, N.Y.— Yorktown standout wrestler and state qualifier Rocco Lore is in intensive care with a respiratory condition in a situation made worse by the sudden passing of his father, Frank Lore.
Rocco lost his father on Feb. 23 and was hospitalized the following day, less than a week before he was set to compete in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Division 1 Tournament, which begins on Friday, Feb. 28.
The Yorktown HS junior won the 285-pound weight bracket at the Section 1 Division 1 Wrestling Tournament on Feb. 11 and 12 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.
Instead of heading to Albany, he was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 24 and is currently in the ICU, battling a serious yet undiagnosed illness with complications from a chest infection. It’s unknown how long his stay in the hospital will be.
“Rocco is an awesome kid; so is Luca (Rocco’s brother, who is also on the team),” said Yorktown coach Dr. Jimmy Kashian. “He doesn’t know this yet, but at the last practice of the season, he was unanimously voted as our captain for next year. He is a hard worker, a leader who really cares about the kids on the team.”
Rocco’s illness comes as the family is dealing with the tragic and unexpected passing of Rocco’s and Luca’s dad Frank.
“Frank knew that it was really important to have his kids wrestling,” Kashian said. “He knew that wrestling helps prepare you for things that come in life. Not that anything could prepare you for what happened this last week, but the boys are better off being in this wrestling family. That’s what Frank wanted.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up for the Lore sons, which raised more than $26,000 of its $35,000 goal as of Friday morning, Feb. 28.
“It is unclear how long my nephew Rocco's hospital stay will be,” organizer Dominick Ricciardi said. “He is a fighter, strong like his father and mother, and strong like his whole family. Undoubtedly, he has a long road to recovery, but we know he will pull through.”
It is not believed that Rocco's illness is related to his father's death.
MTAPD Detective Sergeant Frank Lore has been hailed as “a devoted husband, father, and public servant.” He was 50.
“Frank's larger than life personality and his smile that could light up a room will be deeply missed by everyone who loves him,” his obituary says. “Frank leaves behind the entire MTA and law enforcement community. Frank adored his sisters and brothers in blue and he considered them family.”
Kashian said that among those involved in wrestling, support for the Lore family goes well beyond Yorktown's wrestling program or the school alone.
“The wrestling community is very strong," the coach said. "We have complete support from Section 1, from Jamie Block, the head of Section 1 wrestling, to the coaches, to our youth coaches, to our administration at Yorktown—there is an outpouring of love.
“In such a dark time, it is comforting that the community would rally so quickly and affirmatively around the Lore family,” Kashian continued. "We are devastated for the boys. Frank was a big part of our team; he would never miss a match. We are just heartbroken for what is going on.”
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