Edward Bockowski

Lifelong Staten Islander Edward (Butch) Bockowski, 75, of Tottenville, a retired construction worker who was an active Mason, died Wednesday at home, after a short illness.

Born in his parents' Madsen Avenue home in Richmond Valley, he was soon brought to Tottenville, and graduated from Tottenville High School.

Mr. Bockowski served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s and early 1960s, stationed in Germany.

He worked in construction for various companies in the metropolitan area, most notably Nassau Smelting and Refining Co. in Tottenville. He retired in 2003.

A beloved Mason, he was a brother and trustee of the Great Kills Lodge #912 and had received its Distinguished Service Award. He was active with all Staten Island Masonic lodges and was an honorary member and Tiler (officer) of Staten Island Lodge #66. He was a Past Grand Tall of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon and a past president of the Staten Island Craftsman.

Mr. Bockowski was a member and past Patron of Huguenot Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and had served as the past District Grand Lecturer and the Current Grand Representative of Puerto Rico. He was a Noble of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) with Mecca Temple and a member of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Northern New Jersey.

Surviving are his sons, Edward (Eddie) and LG; his daughter, Gwen Bockowski-Knapp; a brother, Frank; two sisters, Joan Siclari and Mary Ann Dunn; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his former first wife, Eileen Finley, and his former second wife, Ruth Bockowski.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, with a mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, both Tottenville. Burial will follow in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood.

Services: Wednesday July 3, 2013 at Our Lady Help of Christian's R.C. Church 10:00 AM Mass.

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday July 2, 2013 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM

Cemetery: Ocean View Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Our Lady Help of Christians R.C.Church