Obituary of Joseph George Occhipinti

Joseph George Occhipinti of Lynbrook and Weston, FL, 97 years young, was taken by the angels on 6/18/2024 to be rejoined with the love of his life, his beloved Caroline. He was surrounded by his loving family and will live on through the hearts of those who loved him. Joseph was the devoted father of George and the late Stephanie, and George’s dear friend Catherine Farrell, Charles and Arlene, Gary and Maryellen, Joseph Jr. and Lillian, and Robert and Ann. He was the cherished Pop Pop of Kristen and Alex Kregel, Jamie and Michael Bocelli, Gary Jr. and Mary Occhipinti, Tami and Michael Caracciolo, Charles Jr. and Laura Occhipinti, Lauren Occhipinti and Kellyann Occhipinti. Joseph was the adored Great Pop Pop of A.J., Jayden, Chase, Luca, Jaxson, Gianni, Stephanie, Olivia, Joseph, Gianna, Aurora, Charles III and Ayla. Joseph had many titles such as husband, father, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, godfather, cousin and friend to many, but his most cherished titles were and will always be Pop Pop and Great Pop Pop. Joseph George Occhipinti was born Guisseppe Occhipinti on 4/18/1927 in Manhattan, NY to Italian immigrants, the late Giorgio and the late Nunziata Occhipinti. He grew up on First Ave with his parents and two older sisters, the late Josephine and the late Jeanne. On May 21, 1945 Joseph enlisted In the US Navy. He was a Seaman First Class serving our country in World War II as a Navy Seabee. He was stationed in Guam and was in charge of rebuilding the runways for our military planes to land. This was a never-ending feat as he and his crew would build by day and the enemy would destroy by night. During his service he earned the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal. After returning from the War, Joseph met the love of his life, Caroline (Carolina) LiVolsi and they married on 12/1/51. They lived in Brooklyn for a little while but eventually moved out to Lynbrook, NY where they raised their sons. Upon the move to Lynbrook, Joseph became a member of the American Legion Post 335 and still is to this day. He serves as and was recently honored for being the longest serving member of the post. Joseph was the Foreman of the Pressing Department for Barney’s Men clothing store on 7th Ave and 17th St in Manhattan until he was forced to retire due to a back injury in 1980. After retirement, Joseph enjoyed spending his winters in Florida with his wife and eventually became a full-time resident, where he had a very active social life. He would play bocce and meet up with his great group of friends on a daily basis. Never sitting still, he was always active either playing pinochle, going to the movies or Friday night pizza with the gang and an occasional casino and racetrack visit. He and his friends started the “Italian - American and Friends Club” and enjoyed many an outing or event they organized. Joseph also served as a faithful Board member to the Gardens at Bonaventure 11 West Community for many years. During summer months Joseph and his wife would retreat to Masthope Mountain Community in Lackawaxsen, PA, where he enjoyed spending time with his family who would come up mostly every weekend to be with them. On Sunday mornings you could always count on the aroma of a pot of sauce he would start before anyone woke up, filled with meatballs, sausage, potatoes and eggs. Other specialties he would make were his famous lentil soup and zucchini pie which always brought around a few more dinner guests! On Christmas Eve he and his family continued to carry on the family tradition learned from his parents, of making Scacciata, a Sicilian version of a calzone. Upon his wife’s last stages with cancer, they moved back to Lynbrook to be with family and have the care that was needed. After she passed in 2011, Joseph continued to spend his winters in Florida. He had numerous friends and a great support system there. When Covid struck in 2020, he was in Florida and his family thought it was best to have him come back to Lynbrook. Though Covid put a damper on his lifestyle he still managed to remain as active as possible. He continued to cook, clean, grocery shop, etc. with some assistance from his family. During the nice weather he would walk up and down the block, sit on the front stoop and play “Mayor of Starks Place”, enjoyed outings to Lido Beach or the Franklin Square Senior Center where he would play bocce, winning numerous tournaments, dance, eat, sing and listen to music and vocalists, and never missed a family get together. Sadly, on Christmas Eve 2022 he fell and fractured his hip requiring a replacement on Christmas Day. Joseph’s rehabilitation from his surgery was received at the Long Island State Veterans Facility in Stony Brook. He was never quite able to recuperate to the extent he was prior, resulting in him becoming a permanent resident there. Joseph was welcomed with open arms and made many new friends, played pinochle daily, was a member of the Chef’s Club and participated in the daily activities. The staff was beyond attentive and saw to it that every one of his needs were met and more. Joseph was taken on many outings and some as a representative of the VA which he enjoyed immensely. Being an extremely proud World War II US Navy Seabee Seaman First Class Veteran, Joseph has received many honors and accolades, from President Trump, Ex-Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Mayor Alan Beach, the Village of Lynbrook Trustees, past mayors and trustees, numerous other politicians, military organizations, most recently and proudly the Long Island State Veteran’s Home in Stony Brook. He has also been recognized for his service and being one of the few World War II Veterans still in existence, on television channels, and been written about in newspapers as well. His family is extremely proud of him and thankful to him and all his fellow vets for their service and allowing us the live our lives in the best country there is! Our Dad, Pop Pop and Great Pop Pop will be missed beyond words. We ask that you keep all of us in your prayers during this most difficult time and hope for you to share your memories of our patriarch with us. The family requests in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to the Long Island State Veteran’s Home in Joseph’s name. Donations will be used for recreational outings for Joseph’s fellow Veterans to enjoy, as they have earned this and so much more. Envelopes and information are available at the office of Perry’s Funeral Home, 118 Union Avenue, Lynbrook, NY 11563, 516-593-1111.