A Final Farewell

Charley Rochlin did not believe in living life as a member of the audience, but as a member of the cast.

That was one of many sentiments Matthew Rochlin expressed to the hundreds who gathered at his nephew's funeral Mass held Wednesday at Saint Luke Church in Westport.

Charley Rochlin, 24, died Sunday in an accident on Greens Farms Road. The accident remains under investigation by the Westport Police Department.

A lifelong resident of Westport and lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, Charley Rochlin was home on leave following a recent 7-month tour in Iraq. He was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in January.

Those who spoke at his funeral commented on Rochlin's deep devotion to his family, his commitment to the Marine Corps and his love of hockey and his dad's home cooking. Charley Rochlin died on his father Scott's birthday, Dec. 27.

"The good thing was he didn't die on Christmas," Charley's 9-year-old sister Taylor said to the crowded church. " ... but we all wish that he didn't die at all."

Taylor Rochlin spoke about her brother's love for their family pets, how he used to work at the Longshore Ice Rink and how he taught some of their cousins and friends how to skate.

"He leaves behind so many memories with his sisters, Brittany, Kendall and me," she said. "Now we are here today praying for Charley. ... Every night I will pray and think about him."

Monsignor Andrew Varga of Saint Luke Church urged those gathered to support each other through faith.

"Death does not have the last word over us; it is God's love for which we are all destined," Varga said during his homily. "We are not left with nothing. We are left with faith. It is faith that allows us to see how God touched us through Charley's life with blessings and goodness."

Charley Rochlin was a blessing to all who knew him, said Matthew Rochlin, Charley's uncle.

"Life offers many gifts and Charley was one of those gifts to us," Matthew Rochlin said. "While Charley's 24 years were far too short, he experienced love, accomplishment and honor."

Matthew Rochlin spoke of the fun their family had cheering Charley on at his hockey games. He spoke of Charley's ability to easily make friends and he spoke of the family dinners at the Rochlin house where Scott would cook enough food for 12 people, even if only six were eating, and Charley would be sure to eat enough for two.

He spoke of how proud the Rochlins were of Charley, both when he announced he would be joining the Marines and when he finished his training and tour in Iraq.

"Last night we heard many stories of Charley," Matthew Rochlin said, referring to one story that he felt described Charley to a "T."

While in Iraq, Charley and his peers came upon a crippled midget in a wheelbarrow, Matthew Rochlin said. Charley asked his staff sergeant if he could give him a pop tart. The staff sergeant said, 'no,' but Charley persisted, insisting that the man looked hungry.

The staff sergeant agreed and Charley left his Humvee to give the man a pop tart.

"That was Charley," Matthew Rochlin said. "His biggest gift was himself."

As he struggled to continue his remarks, fighting some tears, Matthew Rochlin ended his address saying that to the family, Charley was a wonderful friend, cousin, nephew, brother and son.

"He enriched the lives of all of us," he said as the crowd applauded.