Obituary of Edmund Bochinski

Edmund J. Bochinski, beloved husband, father and longtime resident of Newington left this world on Thursday, September 24, 2015, with his two loving daughters by his side. Born on November 21, 1921 in Meriden, Connecticut, he was the son of the late John and Anna (Juchniewicz) Bochinski. He was married to Elizabeth (Fallis) Bochinski, his wife of 58 years. The couple previously lived in New Britain where they raised their daughters and were members of the former All Saints Church. Ed grew up in Meriden and attended Meriden schools. As a veteran of World War II, he served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. Trained as a Cavalry Trooper and earning the designation of Sharp Shooter, he was part of the Second Battalion 594th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment in the Philippines. At the end of the war, he reenlisted and was part of the post-war occupation in Japan where he was in the 800th Military Police Brigade and was chosen to serve as a guard for General Douglas MacArthur. He nearly lost his life in Kyoto, Japan after a serious military vehicle collision that left him with a disability he suffered with throughout his life, though many never knew. He refused to let it get in the way of living his life to the fullest and providing for his family. He was an example of strength, determination, resilience and grace. He received 2 honorable discharges and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Unknown Soldier Chapter 12. After his military service, he graduated in 1949 from the American Academy of Embalming and Mortuary Research in New York, New York. In the early years of his career, he also worked as an EMT with New Britain Ambulance Service. He became a well-known licensed funeral director and mortician serving New Britain and nearby communities continuously for 60 years until his retirement at age 88. He excelled at his profession and had many friends and colleagues in the funeral business throughout the State of Connecticut. He was honored by the National Funeral Directors Association on his 50th anniversary in the business. Ed was greatly loved by all those who got to know him. His endearing sense of humor, stories, good advice, wit and wisdom were legendary. He loved the art of good cooking and teaching others the same. He took great pride in his sought-after hot dog chili sauce recipe that he developed over many years and kept as a closely guarded secret. He loved thoroughbred horse racing, history, classic cinema, reading and taking Sunday drives with his daughters with whom he shared a very close bond. He enjoyed the company of his grandsons who hold his love and wisdom deeply in their hearts as he was their mentor and role model. A quick study, he had a talent for solving and fixing almost anything. But most of all, he was a generous and giving man who was always there to listen and help anyone in need. *God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers* He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his daughters, Julianne Bochinski of Westport, Judy DiBiase of Wethersfield, his two grandsons, Andrew and Alexander DiBiase, his sisters, Evelyn Wysocki of Southington and Marion Vaillancourt of Maryland, several nieces and nephews and one special niece, Alexis David, of Louisiana. Funeral services were held at St. Peter' s Church in New Britain and burial with full military honors followed at St. Mary's Cemetery, New Britain. The Farrell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to Disabled American Veterans, Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.