Obituary of Christina Bocchiaro

Kathleen Christina (Chris) Bocchiaro, of Hamburg, NY, peacefully passed on May 4, 2025,
surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife for 57 yrs of the late Joseph Bocchiaro Jr.;
the loving mother of Dr. Joseph (Lynne) Bocchiaro III and Kathleen Bocchiaro Wojtowicz; the
cherished grandmother of Christopher (Robin) Donovan Bocchiaro, Lia Bocchiaro, Alexis
(Alexander) Eddinger, Andrew Wojtowicz, Matthew Wojtowicz, and Kristin Wojtowicz; great-
grandmother of Calvin Donovan Bocchiaro; dear sister of Dr. Leo (Karin) Simone; cherished aunt
of Michael (Marcy) and William (Sharon) Mignardi, Laura (Bradley Sr.) Maddock, Linda (Jose)
Boza, Brigitte (Michael) Hendy, and Michelle Simone; and also survived by many cousins and
friends.
Chris grew up in Astoria and Long Island City, Queens where she gained her “New York” accent.
She was the daughter of an Italian father and an Irish mother, and was very proud of both
heritages. Through the hard work and sacrifices of her parents, she was able to attend The
Mary Louis Academy and receive Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from St. John’s University
and Columbia University Teachers College, respectively. Chris and Joe made the bold move
from New York, NY to Buffalo, NY after Joe received an offer to become a manager and
foreman at Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna. They resided in Hamburg, NY for the remainder of
their lives. 
A lifelong career teacher and school administrator, Chris’s passion lay in educating others about
the Catholic faith. This led her to become the Religious Education Coordinator of the SS Peter &
Paul (SSPP) CCD program in Hamburg, NY and the Principal of Immaculate Conception School in
Eden, NY for thirteen years. She also devoted her whole life to teaching in Catholic schools at
SSPP school in Hamburg, NY where she taught elementary students for many years. Upon
retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher in the Hamburg School District. In addition, she
volunteered at the Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program for seventeen years and
was the chairperson of the SSPP Widow’s Ministry named “Our Lady Undoer of Knots” following
the loss of Joe. Chris was a doting mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Attending
mass and church events, and praying for friends and family was such an important part of her
life. She was a wonderful cook and loved entertaining. She also enjoyed gardening, classic
movies, travel, and making cards for others.
Friends may call at the Donald M. Demmerley Funeral Home, 21 Pierce Ave., Hamburg, NY on
Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 4PM to 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at SS
Peter & Paul Church, 66 E. Main St., Hamburg, NY. on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 10AM with burial
to follow at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions in Chris’s
memory be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.