Owner of Bob Coccia’s Appliance Store
Bob Coccia, not only runs a successful hardware store, but has also spent close to 40 years volunteering at St. Robert’s Bellarmine in Bayside.
In fact, Coccia, owner of Bob Coccia’s Appliance Store, located at 215-03 Horace Harding Expressway, recently won an award for his dedication to St. Robert’s at the third annual Monsignor John B. Lavin Golf Outing at the Harbor Links Golf Course in Port Washington.
He called the award an “honor” because he worked closely with Lavin, who named Coccia a trustee of the parish. He also said that this was his proudest moment, because all of his friends and family were there to see him receive the award.
And he was happy to note that all of the proceeds from the golf outing go to St. Robert’s grammar school. This year, the money will go towards improving the school’s cafeteria and media center.
In addition to being a trustee of the parish, Coccia is also a member of the Finance Committee and a Eucharistic Minister.
“I love St. Robert’s,” Coccia said. “Whatever they give me I try to give back.”
Even though Coccia loves volunteering, it is not without its challenges. The biggest challenge he has found is “keeping the school alive” because it is competing against District 26 public schools.
“A good Catholic education is important for children,” he said.
When times do get tough though, Coccia said he looks to Father Lang, a priest who began serving at St. Robert’s in 1977.
“He’s a father figure to me,” he said.
Coccia, a Bayside resident, has been married for 39 years. He has two children.
