Wayne Mourns Rocco After Wayne Teen's Cancer Battle Ends

WAYNE, NJ — A Wayne teen's months-long battle with cancer came to an end. The community mourns Rocco Sivolella, who died at age 15.

"Today Wayne Township lost a great young man," Mayor Christopher P. Vergano wrote Tuesday evening on social media. "Rest In Peace Rocco. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. #cancersucks."

Rocco was diagnosed in January with acute myeloid leukemia. The community rallied around the Wayne Valley High School freshman and even enjoyed some good moments with Sivolella during those difficult months.

Sivolella came home from the hospital April 17 — just in time for Easter, his 15th birthday and the honor of throwing out the first pitch for Wayne Little League's opening day. But a setback put Rocco back in the hospital earlier than his expected return. A vigil for Sivolella took place Thursday outside of Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Rocco was "a great kid and a huge sports fan and collector," according to WOW Sports Cards, where the teen was a regular customer.

"We are going to miss him tremendously," the business wrote on social media.

E and J Boutique — a Brooklyn business that buys and sells sports cards — also mourned the loss of Rocco.

"Rocco was a very special customer of E&J," the business said. "Our heart goes out to the Sivolella Family."

A GoFundMe that has aided Rocco's family during his cancer battle raised more than $80,000.