- Date Of Birth: June 25, 1922
- Date Of Death: August 1, 2015
- State: Maryland
A truly great man, Julius H. Bochinski of Silver Spring, MD, went home to the Lord on Saturday, August 1, 2015. He was a devoted husband and father who till the very end adored and loved his dear wife, Marian, raising together their 10 children, grandchildren, many great grandchildren. He was a highly skilled and respected engineering professional, with a PhD in Chemical and Electrical Engineering, who worked until the age of 82 behind the scenes making our world cleaner and our country safer. But he was also an artist, inventor, businessman, community volunteer and a veteran of WWII, deeply committed to faith, family and social justice.
Julius Bochinski was born in Hamtramck, Michigan, to Polish immigrants Felix and Josephine Bochinski, the fourth of six children and the oldest son. His life with his 4 sisters and brother in the Polish community was a source of great pride. At the encouragement of his sisters, he went to a dance in the Grandy Ballroom in Detroit, where he met his beloved wife Marian on December 10, 1946. They were married on July 31, 1948 and spent 67 happy years together.
He was an avid reader and loved school, with a strong personal drive for learning. To make up lost time after military service he carried more than a full course load to complete his BS and MS in Chemical Engineering early at the University of Detroit, taking classes during vacations and summers. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1954 a year early with his PhD in Chemical Engineering and minors in Nuclear Science and Chemistry by compressing his class schedule.
Boy scouting had a great influence on his life. His parents encouraged him to join through his local parish church and joined troop 46 in Detroit the same day. He always admired his scout leaders for their profound influence on him and other boys in the Polish community in which he lived. He formed lasting friendships and with his friends became charter members of the Explorer scouts, continuing to influence younger members of the troop. His proudest accomplishment with his friends was mentoring younger scouts to excel in all the skills needed to compete in the Detroit Area Camporee events – In 1940 they won the majority of events.
As an adult he always brought positive energy and enthusiasm to the many volunteer efforts through his church and community. He served as a boy scout troop leader, leading outdoor adventuring. He was a Fair Housing advocate in the 50’s and 60’s to prevent housing discrimination against minorities and traveled with church members to build a house and deliver needed supplies to families in need in Tijuana, Mexico. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, he cultivated relationships between his suburban Maryland parish and an inner city Catholic community.
Julius Bochinski was devoted to his family and a beacon for the younger generations. He was clever with a strong sense of humor. He truly loved reaching out playfully to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be missed for sure, but also fondly remembered.
Julius was the beloved husband of Marian L. Bochinski; father of Barbara Bochinski, Linda (Jack) Dunnigan, Stephen (Debra) Bochinski, Janet Bochinski (Pat Arellano), Mark (Janet) Bochinski, Carol (John) Van Pelt, David (Norma) Bochinski, Parick Bochinski, Michael (Vicki) Bochinski and Terri (Mark) Ciamarra; brother of Emily Gleason. Also survived by 20 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
