Emil Joseph Kochman, III

Emil Joseph Kochman, III. Born 03 March 1943 passed peacefully on 23 August 2025. Known by most as E.J. but by family as Hon, Pops, Pal, Bobo, and WeJay he will be remembered by all as a man who loved his family and friends. E.J. was born in the city and was raised in Maspeth, NY. Summers were spent in Rocky Point where following a skydiving injury he was lucky enough to have met MaryAnn (M.A.) Cicack when she drove him to a beach party and from that chance encounter a 57-year relationship was born. MaryAnn and E.J. married on 16 December 1967. They had two children, Jennifer Lynn and Karen Ann, and raised their family Ronkonkoma, NY.

E.J. was a teacher at New Hyde Park Memorial High School until he retired in 1998 and decided to follow his true passion…crime fighting. He joined the Asset Protection Team at Sears and spent many years “apprehending suspects” but was able to realize his dream of “carrying a shield” when he joined the SPCA. He loved going on investigations and working cases. The SPCA is what lead him to his work with the recovery dogs at Ground Zero on 9-11. From that day on, E.J. focused his life on honoring the police force, fire fighters, first responders and the military. While that may have been the focus of his later years, he was also a man of many and varied talents. He rode motorcycles, jumped out of planes, and loved to work with his hands. He was an exceptional leather worker, making things from wallets to headbands to bracelets and belts. Tandy Leather was one of his favorite places on a Saturday afternoon. He was a fantastic wood and metal worker and taught shop at NHP for 33 years. Safety was a priority for him and most of his former students will fondly remember the sign in his shop that read “A tool in the hands of a fool is a dangerous weapon”. At home he was known for making toy boxes, shelves, bookcases, etched Snoopy plates and bracelets out of pennies and a height chart for his kids that hangs in the basement to this day.

Summers with E.J. were known for fun with the kids of the family. Trips to the Italian Ice King of Corona, rides to the dump which then lead to glider rides, flying lessons, or a simple stop at Burger King, making and blowing up Estes model rockets, and kite fights at the beach were just a few of the things that made being around E.J. so much fun. He would set up the camper in the driveway so that Joey, Michelle, Karen, and Jenny could “camp” in the driveway and have chocolate chip pancakes and chickies ready for us to eat so we could get into the pool by 8 in the morning. “Eat it or wear it” was his favorite phrase when we all wanted to order ice creams when our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. His grandkids loved it when he taught them how to make “bombs” out of film canisters and Alka-Seltzer. He was known for playing pranks that today would probably have resulted in CPS being involved today. He was fun and those memories will live in our hearts forever.

Over the last few years M.A. has done an incredible job of caring for E.J. He was the love of her life, and she was his, and it has never been more evident than it was these last 4 years. She was his best friend, his companion, and his dedicated care giver and for that we know he will forever be grateful. She was at his side through the good times and the very tough times but through it all her love for him never wavered.

E.J. had two wonderful son-in-laws, Kevin Nielsen and Dan Wenzell. Kevin will always fondly remember how Marcie was the highlight of E.J.’s trips and how she looked forward to when he would bring her a giant bone and baby her for their entire visit. Dan always enjoyed their many “guy” adventures in the various states where Dan and Jen were stationed and during their many visits to Long Island. Pal/Bobo is survived by his grandchildren Burke, Nate, Ray, and Maddie. WeJay is also survived by extended “nieces and nephews”, Casey, Marianna, Alec, Zoey, River, Kara, and Gabi.

E.J. was a dedicated and loyal friend to many many people and there wasn’t a person on the planet who didn’t get his full life story, even if it was just him going in to get a cup of coffee at 7-11. Friends and family all will forever miss his quirky nature, his often-dry sense of humor, but mostly his true dedication and love for everyone he knew. In the eternal words of EJ… “BSLP/B…Be safe love Pops/Pal/Bobo”.