John Michael Kocinski, Sr.

John Michael Kocinski, Sr., 84, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, peacefully passed away at his residence on January 27, 2023, following a courageous battle with an extended illness.

Born in Alpha, Michigan, to the late Michael Kocinski and Frances Wiatrowski Kocinski; John was also predeceased by his sisters Helen Ozoga, Mary Ballo, Margaret Turcotte, Rose Otto and his brothers Albert Kocinski, Michael Kocinski and Ben Kocinski.
John was a natural athlete and star basketball player. His team won a State Championship and he set various records that lasted many years. Upon graduating high school, John committed the most selfless act of serving our grateful nation by enlisting with the US Army. He was stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and finished rank as a Specialist (E-4). John married his high school sweetheart, Collette, and the two raised their family in Mundelein, Illinois. After his honorable discharge, John completed some college credits before excelling in a thirty-five-year career as an officer with Continental Bank of Chicago.

After retirement, John and his beloved wife made Hendersonville, North Carolina, their forever home. Growing up in the upper peninsula of Michigan, John was always destined to be an outdoorsman. In his free time, John enjoyed fishing, hiking and golfing; he especially loved the mountains of North Carolina and spending time surrounded by all the beauty they had to offer. He was a man who loved his family dearly. He was a firm believer that our actions dictated our character and above all had an unbreakable faith. Collette and John were members of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church of Hendersonville.

Left to cherish John’s memory are his wife of sixty-three years, Collette Marie DeRoche Kocinski ; daughter Rhonda Sue Pagan (Pedro) of Mesa, Arizona; and sons John Michael Kocinski, Jr. (Rae) of Wheaton, Illinois, and Steven Peter Kocinski of Grayslake, Illinois. John also leaves behind grandchildren Dana Alvidrez (Scott), Dylan Kocinski (Amber), Jack Kocinski, and Maria Kocinski; great-grandchildren Joziah Kocinski, Emslee Kocinski, and Ezra Kocinski.
John will be dearly missed by all who loved him.

A memorial mass will be held 9 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 208 7th Ave W, Hendersonville, NC, with Father John Pagel officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorial donations in John’s name may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.