Obituary of Casper Bocina

Casper Joseph Bocina, of Far Hills, NJ, died of lung failure on March 28, 2023 after a brief stay at Morristown Hospital at the age of 97.  “Cap” was the son of Sicilian immigrants and grew up in Newark and Wayne, NJ.  He graduated NJIT (then Newark College of Engineering) in 1945 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 3 years, working his way through school.  After college graduation he volunteered for Naval duty and briefly served his country.  He married Phyllis in 1950 and was a devoted husband for almost 70 years until Phyllis passed away April 6, 2020.  After several entrepreneurial startups, Cap pursued the residential building industry which was flourishing in the 1950’s.  He and Phyllis settled in Short Hills in 1959 and raised their four children there, where they lived for over 35 years.  Cap developed many homes in the Short Hills, Verona, and Livingston area.  He also built several multi-family rental complexes in Rockaway, West Caldwell, Little Falls, Montclair, Hackettstown, Verona and Randolph.  After moving to Far Hills, he continued to be involved with residential home development in the Bernardsville, Basking Ridge and Far Hills area – including the Far Hills Polo Club.  Cap loved to work and was involved with management of his apartment complexes well into his retirement years.  He was a natural athlete his whole life active in many sports namely: skating, sailing, boating, tennis and golf.  But his real sporting passion was skiing – enjoying family ski vacations in Colorado into his 80’s.  He was a member of the Essex County Country Club, Roxciticus Golf Club and Pelican Bay Club in Naples, FL, where he owned a second home for over 25 years.  Casper was one of the founding members of the Shepherds of Youth Charitable Trust in 1984,  Together with the other founders, he developed a complex from raw land in Florham Park, NJ to support the efforts of the Vocationist Fathers and Sisters.  Throughout the year, the SOY assists local working parents with nurseries and daycare and especially supports St. Michael’s School in Newark. He also was a big supporter and donor to The Somerset Hills YMCA. Casper leaves behind an incredible legacy of hard work, perseverance, practicality and family devotion.  Casper’s soul, strength and business acumen will live on though his children – Bruce Bocina, Barbara Bocina Curtin (Thomas), Brenda BocinaCurnin (Thomas) and Glenn Richard Bocina (predeceased ’82) and grandchildren – Jonathan Bocina (Jen), Kristen Bocina Tanayan(Michael), Katherine Curtin, Kylie Curtin, Thomas Bryce Curnin, Charlotte Curnin and Christopher Curtin and his great-grandchildren – Milly, Olive, Emmitt, and Noah.  We are all proud that “Poppy” had such a long, healthy and happy life.  

Visitation will be held at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ on Monday, April 10th 2023 from 4-7pm.  Funeral Mass will be held at St Brigid Roman Catholic Church, 129 Main St Peapack, NJ on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 10:30am.  Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven cemetery, East Hanover,NJ. For further information or to leave an online condolence message, please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to:  Shepherds of Youth c/o Fidelity Management, 641 Shunpike Rd, Chatham, NJ  07928, Shepherdsofyouth.org or to the Somerset Hills YMCA.