He was born January 12, 1943, in Mansfield, Ohio, to the late Harry and Marymae (Fuhrer) Bocka. On May 5, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Penny Jo Scott and they shared 46 years of togetherness until she died on January 17, 2009.
Fred worked at Lexington Concrete most of his life and also worked at Moritz Materials in Ashland. He helped design and build the plants in Lexington and Ashland. Fred had a love of anything with an engine. He drag raced for over 20 years, building his own cars. He also built cars, street rods and tractors for others. He was a member of the Cockshutt Tractor Club. He enjoyed hunting, attending car and tractor shows, and snowmobiling with Penny.
Fred was a strong supporter of the Crestview School athletic programs and regularly drove his 1959 Corvette escorting members of the Crestview Homecoming Court. He was a member of Faith Church in Ashland. He was a very helpful friend and watched over his neighbors like family. He was a bright light in the lives of his family and friends and will be dearly missed by all.
Fred is survived by four children, Stephanie (Michael) Cascio of New Hyde Park, NY, Sally (Wade) Wallace of Columbus, Terry (Janet) Bocka of Smithville, and Sherry (Jim) Thompson of Mansfield; nine grandchildren, Michael Cascio, Madison (Brian) Terrasi, Steven Cascio, Elizabeth (Josh) Westling, Taylor (Dennis) Terlaak, Logan (Lauren) Myers, Annkelly (Ryan) Struckel, Isabella Myers and Bethany (Kenton) Cornell; four great-grandchildren, Emily, Lily, Adelaide and Atlas; and two great-grandchildren on the way; two sisters, Annette Goins of Summerville, SC and Paula Them of Mansfield; sister-in-law, Nancy Robison; many nieces and nephews; and numerous other family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Penny Jo (Scott) Bocka; grandson, James Thompson; and brothers-in-law, Ray Goins and Tom Them.
The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be held on Monday, September 15 at 11:00 am at Faith Church, 1574 OH-96, Ashland, OH 44805. Pastor Brian Amstutz will conduct the service. He will be laid to rest in Franklin Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Church, Crestview Athletics or Franklin Township Fire Department.
Special thanks to Shiloh Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, OhioHealth Mansfield ER and Hospice, Franklin/Weller Township Emergency Squad, and numerous friends and neighbors over the years for the food, prayers and support.
