Charles Anthony Tocko
Charles Anthony Tocko of Westhampton Beach died on December 12 at the Riverhead Care Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. Known fondly as Uncle Charlie, he was 63.
Born November 29, 1947, in Bayonne, New Jersey, he graduated St. Andrew’s Elementary School in 1961 and St. Michaels High School in Union City in 1965. He was a member of the Lambda, Sigma, Rho fraternity at Jersey City State College, from which he graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in speech and special education. He went on to receive his master’s degree in vocational and special education from Colorado State in 1993.
As a speech and language therapist and special education teacher with the Bayonne Board of Education, Mr. Tocko dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the students of Bayonne, New Jersey. During his years in Bayonne he volunteered for the New Jersey Special Olympics and was a long time Boy Scout leader. He was also an actor and a poet, who performed in many college and professional theaters. He retired in 2005 to be able to spend more time with family and friends.
He was world traveler, avid skier, camper, hiker, fisherman, horseback rider and lover of animals. He loved the beach, where he often read, rode the waves and napped in the sand.
He is survived by his mother Jean Tocko of Westhampton Beach; a sister Carol and her husband Bill Verdon of California; an aunt, Sophie Karkut of Westhampton Beach; four nieces Amy, Rebecca, Sarah, and Kate; a nephew, John; nine great-nieces and great-nephews; and many cousins, friends, and people whose lives he touched deeply, family said.
Visitation was on December 14 at Follett & Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach. A funeral service was held on December 15 at Church of The Immaculate Conception in Quiogue.
In lieu of flowers, donations payable to the Boy Scouts of America, Bayonne Pack 25, c/o St. Vincent de Paul Church, 979 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ 07002-3055 would be appreciated by the family.
on Dec 22, 2010