Acocella's Friends: "He's Going to be Missed"

A constant flow of friends, family and other loved ones made their way to Mamaroneck Wednesday night to remember the life of Joseph Acocella Jr., at the first of two visitations scheduled for this week.

Acocella died Monday at the age of 30 after a lifelong battle with the rare spine condition Lumbar Sacral Agenesis. He had also fought kidney and heart conditions throughout his life.

That never stopped him, however, as was evident by hundreds of pictures on display at Coxe and Graziano Funeral Home. Photos ranging from childhood gatherings with friends to visits with notable politicians.

Mary Ann Ruospo, who's husband was Acocella's cousin, said she will remember Joey riding a skateboard around town when he was about eight years old.

"He didn't like the wheelchair, he didn't like his prosthetics, he used to get around on a skateboard," she said.

Ruospo had known Acocella since he was born, and said she will remember the smile and laugh that was contagious to anyone who visited with him.

"He never, ever, ever, gave up," she said. "I could never do what he did."

Luis Barros, 38, worked for the Harrison Recreation Department when Acocella was about 10. He said the two met at Brentwood Field during Little League season when Acocella would volunteer to work the scoreboard for his peers during games.

"He just wanted to be involved," Barros said. "He worked the field, he worked it for probably four games in a row. He stayed there until we would say 'hey Joe, it's time to go home'."

Years later the two worked together in the recreation department. Barros said he remembers at times forgetting that Acocella had health problems altogether.

"His disability never stopped him," Barros said. "He was a really, really, good kid. He was strong."

Barros, who now lives in Peekskill, said he wasn't surprised when he heard that Acocella had been elected town clerk in 2007.

"His disability never stopped him," he said. "Nothing definitely could stop that kid."

Joseph Bilotto, chief of the Harrison EMS department, said him and Acocella used to talk on the phone every night. The two have been close friends for 10 years.

"He was the most inspirational person that will ever teach anybody how to live," Bilotto said. "Just when you think you've got it bad, you just look at him and he's always got a smile on his face."

Most of all, friends remembered a man who continued to help others without asking for anything in return. 

"He was always a giver, he never wanted anything from anyone, we used to have to fight for him to take a Christmas present," Bilotto said. 

"He's going to be missed."