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Obituary of Thomas Kocian
Obituary for Thomas M. Kocian (1932 - 2025)
Thomas M. Kocian, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away at his home peacefully on January 30, 2025, at the age of 92. He was the son of the late Nicholas Kocian and Barbara Bello, and a devoted brother to the late Karl Kocian and Katherine Rodgers.
Thomas married the girl next door, Laura Napolitano in 1960. They had four sons: Nicholas T. Kocian of South Glastonbury, CT, Thomas A. Kocian of Tottenville, Karl Kocian of Huguenot, and Kenneth Kocian of Gainesville, FL. He was also blessed with his daughters-in-law: Ronda Y. Kocian, Janice DiSarro-Kocian, Jennifer Kocian, and Andree Kocian. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Stefanie, Ashley, Justin, Nicole (Robert Bullara Jr.), Renee, and Karl (K2), and his great-grandchildren, Preston, Jana, Briar, and Eloise (children of his granddaughter Ashley) and grandson in law, Jackson Schipke.
Born and raised on Staten Island, Thomas was a proud native who never left the Island he loved. He was a graduate of McKee High School and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic College at the age of 40, all while raising four sons and balancing the challenges of life. His determination and tenacity were qualities that defined him.
At just 19, Thomas faced the loss of his father, prompting him to enlist in the National Guard, followed by service in the U.S. Navy as a Machinist Mate, Second Class. Throughout his military service, he sent his pay back home to support his widowed mother, Barbara. While in the Navy Tom earned a special commendation. While on patrol and watch in the Engine Room, he detected a steam leak and quickly determined that an explosion was imminent – Tom, along with another shipmate, worked furiously to relieve the leak to prevent an explosion. Later it was determined that the leak would have erupted and that the time to such was perilously close. For that he was awarded a commendation by the ship’s Captain.
He grew up during the time of the Great Depression – and living in that time left an indelible impression upon him. His career in electronics began with his employment at Westinghouse in Newark, New Jersey, where he worked alongside other Engineers-In-Training on a multitude electronics projects. Later on, while his children were young, and to bolster his income as he attended night school, Tom repaired televisions and radios at Lucci’s on Staten Island. Tom was known for his ability to disassemble and repair any complex electronic device. Early in TV history he assembled and worked the first remote controls which, he explained, sent high pitched sound waves, beyond the range of human hearing, picked up by the receiver in the TV. His trademark was hard work and a passion for technology, qualities that would remain with him throughout his life.
Thomas went on to a distinguished career with the City of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where his expertise in radio communications and transit systems was invaluable. He achieved the title of Professional Engineer (PE), a milestone he cherished. His work ensured that the subways and railways of New York City ran smoothly for decades. Amazingly, at age 90 he kept his Professional engineer (PE) licenses current in the States of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts posting a perfect score. He mentioned that he needed to keep current in case he “returned to the work force”.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Thomas shared his love of the game with his sons through West Shore Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football, even coaching his son Nick in baseball for a time. He was a proud co-founder of the Granite Athletic Club (Granite AC), where he deeply valued the club's involvement in sports, the annual picnic at Nansen Park, great people, the egg throwing contest, and the camaraderie shared with fellow members over his lifetime. He was an avid fan of the NY Giants and the NY Mets and had the unique privilege of repairing the scoreboard at Shea Stadium, taking his four sons with him to enjoy Met games afterward. In fact, he took his children to many games when he worked at Fishback and Moore (a contractor of the MTA of whom had a work trailer across the street from Shea Stadium). His passion for sports remained strong until the end of his life.
Raised in a blue-collar family, Thomas instilled the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion into his children. He was proud of their accomplishments and the lives they built. He would take his four boys to work with him, on electrical jobs, to personally teach them how to do things the right way and impart his skills and work ethic on to them. His sons followed in his footsteps, each achieving success in their respective careers:
Nicholas T. Kocian, Attorney, Founder of the Kocian Law Group
Thomas A. Kocian, Attorney, Principal Owner of Law Office of Thomas A. Kocian, P.C.; Teacher at Monsignor Farrell High School and Liason Instructor at St. John's University; Freshman Baseball Coach at Farrell
Karl Kocian, Owner/Operator of a Safety Management Company / Safety Engineer.
Kenneth Kocian, a retired NYPD Lieutenant (serving during 9/11) and McDonald’s Owner and Operator of numerous franchises within central Florida.
Anyone who knew Tom understood that he was capable of fixing anything. Tom and Laura raised their children in Mariners Harbor - at 42 Lake Avenue – where Tom basically reconstructed the entire old house with his own expertise. Tom ran the plumbing and electrical lines, rebuilt the kitchen including personally handcrafting the kitchen cabinets, and constructed an addition to the front of the house. When his sons were young, he and Laura bought a boat (titled 'Laura's Boys') for the family to take out in local waters. With the boat, Tom, of course, put his own expertise into the infrastructure of it - and, in coordination with his older brother Karl, promptly stripped the boat of its side supports and rebuilt them plank by plank. He also purchased a Volvo Penta indoor-outdoor engine that required some work. Not a problem, he (along with his brother Karl), rebuilt it, component by component. When completed, it ran like new.
Tom used to say he did okay for a local guy who is a proud graduate of McKee High School on the Island. Tom has been lovingly reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Laura Napolitano, his parents, Nicholas and Barbara Kocian, his siblings, Karl Kocian and Katherine Rodgers, and the cherished members of the Napolitano family, along with dear friends who have gone before him.
Thomas’ enduring legacy lives on in the lives of his children and grandchildren, who strive every day to honor the example of hard work and integrity that he set before them.
A funeral service will be held at Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, with visiting hours on Friday, February 7th, from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm. A Mass will be celebrated on Saturday February 8th at 10:00 am at St. Michael's Church, where Thomas married the love of his life, Laura. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at St. Peter’s Cemetery.
Rest in peace, Tom. You will always be remembered with love.
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