Ray rocket valliere biography of michael

Jan. 15 -- His name is Ray Valiere, but almost everybody calls him Rocket. Though it's hard to imagine now, the high notes in Rocket's life were once few and far between.

In fact, for most of his 45 years he's led a singularly sad and solitary existence.

Since birth, his disabilities — both physical and mental — narrowed his world and defined his life. Deformed bones and muscles make walking difficult.

He has but one eye and only partial use of that.

Not surprisingly, as a kid growing up in Westerly, R .I., he was easy prey for bullies.

Ray rocket valliere biography of michael

Schoolmate David Zapatka remembers being in between classes and watching them knock books out of Rocket's hands.

"He'd carry his books up high because he would limp along and put his books up here and it really was an easy target," said Zapatka.

High school graduation was followed by the crushing loss of his father.

And Rocket became a virtual recluse in his own home.

Rocket