Bea was born in Brooklyn, to her late parents, Antonio and Orsola Lanza. She grew up in Bensonhurst, attending and graduating from the Girls Industrial High School. Across the street from her family home was that of her future husband, Sebastain Bocchieri. She and “Ben’s” family were neighbors, as their older brothers were friends, and she fondly became the “younger sister”. As they grew up, Ben would make it a point to meet Bea at the bus on Sunday mornings and carry home for her the weekly Sunday crumb cake. Friendship blossomed, and in 1948, Ben and Bea were married at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Like their families, they made their first home in Bensonhurst.
In 1952, they came out to Long Island, purchasing their house in Copiague, where they remained and raised their own family. Bea and Ben enjoyed their family and their friends. Hobbies included bowling, golfing (Bea was an unsurpassed golf cart driver!), swimming, summer barbeques galore, and going on vacations with Ben’s fellow Lions Club members. Ben passed in 1978. Bea continued her life in Copiague, assisting her children with babysitting while they worked, and especially when she was called upon during the illnesses of her children and grandchildren. Bea’s life revolved around her family, and they came first. Bea hosted many “weekends at Grandmas’”, not only for the grandchildren but for nieces and nephews as well. Grandma’s house was always bustling with activity that her grandkids still remember. She loved to crochet. This led her to volunteer for many years creating hats, booties and blankets for babies in local and out-of-state hospitals.
In addition to her husband, Ben, Bea is predeceased by her sisters and brothers. Surviving are her children – her daughter, Donna Freville and her son-in-law, John; her son, Charles Bocchieri and her daughter-in-law, Dorothy; and her daughter, Beatrice Guido and her son-in-law, Gregory. She also leaves her grandchildren –Justina Le Sassier , Christopher Freville, Justin Freville, Danielle and her husband Ryan Sweeney, Charles Jr. and his wife Jennifer Bocchieri, and her great-grandchildren – Eva LaSassier, Kira Sweeney and Charles Bocchieri.
Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 12th, from 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. During the evening hours, the Catholic Wake Service will be offered. On Thursday, June 13th, the Funeral Mass will be offered at 9:30 a.m., at St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church in Amityville. Interment will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
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