John Roccio passed away at 4:50 pm Oct 15, 2007 of heart complications. He was an early member of the 13 Rebels, Original Wild One, and eventually a Boozefighter. He rode with the likes of Wino Willie, John Cameron, and the rest of the 1940’s Boozefighters. He was well respected then and to the end by our club.

The first time I met John Roccio was in the spring of 1995 in ‘JD’ John Cameron’s home. I had gone to LA to interview ‘JD’ and ‘Wino Willie’ for some club history documentation. Roccio was invited over to help. As I learned John and wife Jeannine were history buffs and had an invaluable collection of the early American Biker memorabilia. They always had close ties with the early Boozefighters & Boozettes and they knew about as much of the Original’s history as anyone. Also had many albums of valuable pictures.

As the years went on when ‘Dancer’ (BF Nat’l Ambassador) and I (JQ…Nat’l Historian) went to LA - the Roccio’s invited us into their home. Then they would invite over, or arrange for us to go meet many other Original Wild Ones. With their help we met Jim Hunter, Jim Cameron, Red Dog, Gil Armas, Vern Autrey, ‘Dago’, Les Haserot, Jack Lilly, and several other old racing and ridding buddies. Without Jeannine we would never have learned where our “THREE STAR BOTTLE” icon back center patch came from.

It should be noted that the Roccio’s also gave a lending hand and oversight help to many of the above Originals after they got old and had health and financial issues. They made sure the Old Timers were taken care of…no matter what it took.

So you might wonder what else did John do in his long life??? Well here is a clue. (See picture) In the “LEICESTER SPEEDWAY” (that’s in England) racing program, Friday, May 4th, 1951 they have a section called “Introducing The Americans”. There is a picture of JOHN ROCCIO and it says; “comes over with a family reputation to uphold”…and it goes on to tell about brother Ernie’s establishing himself as a fine rider, etc, etc. In other words the Roccio brothers were hell of a Flat track and TT motorcycle racers in their early days.

I don’t remember what all else he did but I do know there are numerous old bridges over the LA freeways still standing because John provided the good quality concrete and building material to construct them. He was a very successful businessman.

In my history evaluation it will be said…”John Roccio was a great competitor, constructor, family provider, and contributor to his fellow man(s). He was a great Boozefighter and ORIGINAL WILD ONE. We will all miss him very much.”