Obituary of Fred Poccia

Fred Poccia was the son of the late Philip and Concetta D'Acunto Poccia. He was born in Darien on January 25, 1921 and passed from this world on January 30, 2015 at the age of 94 years. Fred lived his entire life in Darien, except during his years of service overseas during World War II. He graduated from Darien High School in 1940 where he lettered in baseball, basketball and golf. Fred's life-long passion for golf began during his high school years when he finished 6th in the Fairfield County High School Golf Tournament. Fred was a World War II Veteran. He served under General Patton's command in North Africa and later in Patton's Third Army in Germany. After the war he attended the Bullard and ITT Technical Engineering Schools. Fred was employed as a tool and die maker at the Bridgeport Brass Company and as a model maker at Sperry Rand Corporation of Norwalk and Barnes Engineering Company of Stamford. In 1968 Fred joined the Darien School System as its Plant Manager in charge of maintaining all Darien public school buildings and grounds. Fred's commitment to serving others continued upon his return to Darien after the war. He, along with a handful of friends, organized Little League Baseball in Darien and helped construct what is now McGuane Field. He later coached Little League and served as President of Darien Youth Athletics. Fred served on many Darien community boards including the Darien Board of Education, the Darien Recreation Commission, the Republican Town Committee and the town Disaster Committee. Fred was also a life-time member of the Noroton Fire Department, a member and past president of The Piedmont Club, and honorary member of Post 53. In 1983 he was honored by the Darien Old Timers. Fred was a musician having played the clarinet and saxophone going back to his high school years. He carried his clarinet with him during military service in Europe. When he returned to the States, he formed his own orchestra and played professionally at weddings and other special events. Fred is survived by his wife of 67 years, Loretta, his two sons, Daniel of Darien and Rick and his wife Diana of Overland Park, Kansas, his two granddaughters, Allison Poccia of New York City and Dr. Julia Poccia Ordzowialy, her husband Dean and their daughter Addison of Chicago. Fred and Loretta spent precious time with their great-granddaughter Addison last October at a family gathering in Darien. Fred was predeceased by his four sisters and his brother John, also of Darien. Visitation will be held at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, from 4 PM to 8 PM on Tuesday, February 3rd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road in Darien at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, February 4th. Interment will follow with full military honors at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820