WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Neighbors and friends are grieving the loss of a beloved couple who died in a motorcycle crash in Clarion County on Thursday.
Rob Zanotto, 71, and his wife, Cheryl, 66, were on their motorcycle about 70 miles from home when they collided with an SUV.
“There is such a void right now,” said Doreen Smeal, a friend of the Zanottos. “It’s like, sometimes you can’t take a breath because they’re not in it.”
It’s how many friends of Rob and Cheryl Zanotto tell Channel 11’s Andrew Havranek they are feeling after learning of the Zanottos’ deaths in a motorcycle accident on Thursday.
According to state police, an SUV was turning onto Route 66 in Clarion County and pulled in front of their motorcycle.
Rob Zanotto was not wearing a helmet and died on scene. Cheryl was taken to the hospital, where she later died.
“Complete unbelief, just thinking that that couldn’t even possibly be true. Not them. Certainly not them,” Smeal said.
Friends said the Zanottos loved being out on their motorcycle, traveling, camping, and even called them the “life of the party.”
“They loved life, and they just went after it, and they loved each other so much,” Smeal said.
They were active in the community in several clubs, and were members of the American Legion in Vandergrift. A photo of the two now sits at the bar inside.
Members there tell Channel 11’s Andrew Havranek things won’t be the same without them. But, they want their son and granddaughters to know the community is there for them.
“Just know that we’re still here for them,” Smeal said. “There’s no way we’d ever be able to fill Rob and Cheryl’s life for them, but if they need, we’re here.”
Visitation hours are set for Wednesday with a funeral set for Thursday morning.
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