Ronald J. "PeeWee" Gochakowski, Sr. passed away on April 21, 2017 at his home surrounded by his children.
He was born on August 11, 1939 to Stephen and Catherine (Kuchinsky) Gochakowski. He was born in the West End and at the age of 4 moved to the Warren Chambers in Charlestown. He lived the majority of his life in Charlestown. He attended both St. Francis de Sales and Charlestown High School. He married the love of his life, Rosie (Venezia) on July 4, 1960 and they celebrated 56 years of marriage together. He was known to his friends and family as "PeeWee," but as his brother so rightly stated, that was an oxymoron - he was larger than life to his family.
PeeWee was a veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corp 1958-1961. After basic training and signal school, he spent 13 months in Korea with the U.S. 8th Army where he attained the rank of Specialist/4 while working as a pole lineman. After returning back to the states, he was stationed at a U.S Army Nike missile site in New York.
He was a lifelong New York Yankees fan and met his idol Mickey Mantle in Atlantic City on April 17, 1994. He made a career out of roofing beginning in 1961 and worked his way up to Vice President at Thor Roofing in Medford until his retirement in 1990. PeeWee and Rosie enjoyed many summers vacationing with their family in New Hampshire and Maine, going on Caribbean cruises, and later spent 19 memorable summers camping at Sandy Beach in Contoocook, New Hampshire.
He leaves behind his wife, Rose Gochakowski, his children Ronald J. Gochakowski, Jr. and his wife Victoria of Brookline; Ralph Gochakowski and his wife Joyce of Revere; Rose Oliveira and her husband Joseph of Peabody and Robin Reale and her husband George of Salem. He was also a devoted Papa to Christopher Gochakowski, Joseph Gochakowski and Olivia ("Yaya") Reale. He was a loyal brother to Charles Gochakowski, Frank Gochakowski and Patricia Kelley and the late John Gochakowski, Loretta Bickford, Mary Murphy and Peter Michalozski.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 9 A.M. from The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown at 10 A.M. His burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 from 4 to 8 P.M. in the funeral home. .
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association in the name of team "Rosie's Rebels (With a Cause) - Team Captain, Robin Reale" 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 304, Waltham, MA 02452
or by following this link:
http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2017/?px=6757781&pg=personal&fr_id=10472