NORTH BRUNSWICK – Fox Meadow Road is now symbolically Bocchieri Way, while the intersection of Tremont Avenue and Stelle Avenue bears the name of Pingatore Way, as part of North Brunswick’s veteran street naming program.
Salvatore “Sam” J. Bocchieri was born on Dec. 21, 1927, in Newark.
He served in the Korean War as a member of the United States Army from 1951-53. He was first assigned to the Scarwaf Engineers division who were instrumental in the development of the landing strips where military planes landed. He then served as a supply clerk for the men in that division until he was honorably discharged in January 1957. He earned the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal, according to the proclamation read during the street naming story on July 29.
Bocchieri returned to the States in April 1953 where he continued the Bocchieri family business, which started as a fruit stand on Route 1 in Edison. The business flourished and expanded into a fruit basket business that later developed into Bocchieri Nursery, Landscape and then Florist. He retired from the business in 2008, according to the proclamation.
Bocchieri served as a member on the Board of Health and volunteered at the Italian American Social Club’s Carnevale for many years with his longtime friend Dr. Fred Bell. He is an active member of the Italian American Club serving as an officer and had continued volunteering his time to help up until 2018. He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels throughout the years, according to the proclamation.
Bocchieri married his high school sweetheart, Ann Bilardo, in April 1953 and together they have three children: Connie; Sharon who is married to Brian; and Brian who is married to April. They also have four grandchildren: Kelly, Trevor, Kyle and Cody.
Salvatore and Ann still reside in North Brunswick on Hermann Road.
John Louis Pingatore Sr. was born on July 2, 1946, in New Brunswick to Louis and Mary Pingatore. He graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1965.
Pingatore joined the United States Air Force in October 1965 after graduation. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and moved to Illinois to become a jet engine mechanic. He spent time in Myrtle Beach from 1966 to 1967 and then volunteered to serve in Vietnam from 1967 to 68. He served on the Bein Hoa base in Vietnam, according to his proclamation read on July 29.
Pingatore reached the rank of sergeant while in the service. He was released from active duty, returned to the United States and was stationed at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. He was honorably discharged in February 1969. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, according to the proclamation.
Pingatore graduated from Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1971. Upon returning home, he opened up John’s Dairy Store in New Brunswick. He worked for the City of New Brunswick in the Water Department for 32 years and retired in 2008, according to the proclamation.
Pingatore married Marion Borosky in 1973. They have one son, John Louis Jr., and daughter-in-law Amy. They also have three grandchildren: Alexis Lynn, John Carlo and Skylar Elizabeth.