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Edward S. Bockowski

FUNERAL HOME

Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly

59 Spruce Street

Westerly, Rhode Island

Edward Bockowski Obituary

Name: Visitation for Edward S. Bockowski
Start: 2023-08-04T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-08-04T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly

Edward S. Bockowski, beloved husband for 33 years of Kristin (O'Keefe) Bockowski, of
Pawcatuck, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 29th, 2023 surrounded by his loving
family. He was 59. Ed was a bright light, spreading his infectious good humor to everyone he
met. If you weren't a friend of Ed's you just hadn't met him yet. A truly genuine soul, he was a
kind and loyal friend.
Born in Staten Island, NY, Ed was the son of Eileen Finley and the late Edward "Butch"
Bockowski. He cherished spending time with his grandfather, going on adventures with his
friends and cousin Kevin, and taking care of horses.
After graduating from Tottenville High School in 1981, Ed made the life-changing decision to
join the U.S. Navy. Ed was always proud to tell others about his experience in the military and
shake the hand of any veteran or service member he met. Most importantly, the Navy brought
him to Newport, RI, where he met his wife Kristin. From the moment they met, his undying
devotion to her never faulted and only grew over time. Their foremost desire was to create a
happy family and that they did, welcoming Eddie, Danny, and Lily. While his family was the
center of his world, he had great affection for his extended Bockowski/Finley and O'Keefe
families.
Ed received his Associate's degree in Civil Engineering and Bachelor's degree in Business
Management. He worked at Wheelabrator Technologies for 21 years, and at General Dynamics
Electric Boat for almost eight years. He was a member of Groton Sportsmen's Club and enjoyed
hunting, fishing, and at home projects. Ed's favorite pastime was spending time with his family.
In between working and helping raise three kids and a dog, Ed still had space to give himself to
others. He specifically found joy in coaching. Between soccer and crew, Ed coached in the
Stonington community for almost 20 years. Throughout every practice, game, and regatta, he
was always ready to give inspiring advice to any young athlete, or lend a hand to anyone that
needed it. He sought to make everyone feel worthy and helped countless individuals see their
own potential.
Ed is survived by his wife Kristin Bockowski, his three children, Edward Bockowski Jr, Daniel
Bockowski, and Lily Bockowski, his puppy Humphrey, his mother Eileen Finley, his siblings
Eileen Woll, Ellen Finley, and Ryan Finley, and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and other
extended family members. He will be deeply missed by his family and anyone who knew his
jubilant spirit.
Visiting hours will be held at Gaffney Dolan Funeral Home on Friday, August 4th from 4-7 PM.
A funeral service with military honors will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, August 5th
at 11 AM. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please send
donations to Stonington Crew at
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7C7RDPHLAVT3A. Donations can also be
mailed to PO Box 242, Stonington, CT 06378. For online condolences,www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Westerly Sun from Aug. 3 to Aug. 4, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Bockowski

Sponsored by Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly.

12 Entries

Ron and KARE Bedard

August 5, 2023

Met Ed on the way to the grocery store ! I have a 1988 jeep wrangler witch I bought brand new ! Every time I went buy the house he said to me he wanted to buy it and if my wife was in the car he would say the jeep always looks better with her in it! Great guy !! Miss him already !!! SEMPER FI

Winfield Schmitt

August 4, 2023

I was a co-worker with Ed for many years. He was a stickler for details and he really took care of his people. So sad to hear of his passing. Prayers to Kristin and the whole family.

Nick Bottone Jr.

August 3, 2023

To Kristin, Edward Jr., Daniel, Lily & Family
Ed was my final supervisor at EB before I retired. And, after a 32 yr. career I can definitely say he was one of the best bosses I ever worked for! May the many cherished memories you share bring you all lasting comfort.
Sincere condolences, thoughts & prayers,
- Nick Bottone Jr.

Chris Ryan

August 3, 2023

Such a great, positive human being. Always upbeat and happy when we would inevitably see each other at the store. Condolences to his family.

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Carolyn Hartford

August 2, 2023

My thoughts and prayers are with you Kristin & Family. With love and many happy memories, Carolyn Hartford.

Steve Hartford

August 2, 2023

When I think of Eddie now I realize how lucky I am to have known him and proud to have him as part of my family. Ed was absolutely committed to his wife and kids. He worked so hard for so long and raised a remarkable family and led a remarkable life. Always positive, always supportive, always looking for the bright side and to have a good time and to include everyone in that good time. Ed always made me feel welcome and part of the group no matter where I was in my life. What a man, what a friend. God's blessings to you Kristin, Ed, Dan & Lily.

Taylor Hertlein

August 2, 2023

There´s not a day I can recall that Mr. Ed didn´t walk his dog up and down timber ridge. When I was little, I remember times where I would see him coming towards my house from a distance and would run to grab a basketball and make it look like I had been practicing because his positive affirmations always boosted my confidence. As I got older that encouragement turned into recruiting me for crew, which worked, which turned into bragging about me to my parents everyday. Looking back, I was an average athlete at best, but he made me feel like a superstar. He believed in me during times I didn´t believe in myself and I know he had this impact on everyone he met. He will be truly missed. Sending peace and comfort to his family.

Stephanie (Albert) Moore

August 2, 2023

I have two favorite memories of Mr. Bockowski being a neighborhood dad. The first is when my twin sister and I were riding our bikes home from the Little League in a terrible thunderstorm and he just pulled over, threw our bikes in the back of his truck, and drove us home. We were crying it was so bad and we were so thankful he stopped!
And the second being one time we were at his house late while playing with his son (our friend) Eddie, and Eddie´s mom served us dinner with the family like it was nothing and then there are countless memories of Mr. Bockowski just being a good dad, being at the bus stop with his kids, and being the best field trip dad! And of course talking about his time in the Navy every once in a while :) You will be so missed by all us Neighborhood Kids who are now starting our own families, Mr.Bockowski. I pray we can all be inspired by your legacy and love our neighborhood the way you loved yours. I can only imagine the heartache your family is going through, but we can be comforted to know you loved people so well with the time you did have here with us. Thank you for everything.

Jackie (Albert) Mewha

August 2, 2023

I grew up knowing Edward as "Mr. Bockowski". He was the dad of my friend Eddie who lived in the pink house in my neighborhood. He was one of my neighborhood dads. I grew up in the time where my twin and I would ride our bikes on a street until we saw a pile of bikes in someone´s yard. If the bikes were piled at the Bockowski residents there was a good chance Mr. Bockowski was playing outside with all the kids too. It was always more fun when he was. He always offered a smile and a joke and you could 100% guarantee that you´d leave his presence feeling better than when you entered his space. I can truly say I love him as a friend even as someone who is his son´s age. He was a friend to all. I will miss you friend!

Scott Schroeder

August 2, 2023

Great man, great family man.

Jess & Christina Porter

August 2, 2023

We first met Ed as one of the crew teams coaches. Sydney was on the girls team and Alex was a coach for the freshman boys. They both loved spending time with him and learning from him. Living down the street from you guys we got to know him as we would have some great conversations on the street. He would always stop by to play with Kobe or have a home brewed beer. Jess enjoyed running into him at the shipyard building the Illinois. Ed was such a wonderful man full of life and always so kind to others. We loved his sense of humor and playful nature. It truly saddened us to hear of his passing. He was a great man! I´m so sorry for your loss. We will keep your family in our prayers.

Todd Sprentall

August 2, 2023

Ed was a great friend and he will truly be missed. Ed used to come up to the CPO mess to scrounge midrats while I was a mess crank on USS Detroit. He talked me into coming to B division and is one of the reasons I am where I am today. God bless old friend, fair winds and following seas. Permission to leave the ship.

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