Friday, February 12, 2021
I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Noely Boccaccio. If you grew up in the Village of Holley in the 50’s & 60’s, it’s hard to imagine that you didn’t know Noely. And if you were a male teenager, you likely got your haircut by his father Emilio, or his Uncle Mike, at Boccaccio Brother’s Barber Shop. Noely was a gentle friendly soul who always greeted you by name with a smile and kindness in his heart.
If you attended the old Holley High School, outdoor gym classes were held on the ball field east of the Public Square behind the block that included the Marine Midland bank. Since Noely’s family home was nearby, it was not uncommon for him to make an appearance during gym class. Everyone liked him and to my knowledge he was never mocked or ridiculed. And when it came to hitting a baseball, no one I ever knew could hit the ball farther!!
Several years after his parents passed away & Noely moved from Holley, I saw him at Wegman’s in Brockport. Actually he saw me first and I was both shocked & pleased that he recognized me and called out to me by name. He always called me “Stevey”. I was every bit as happy to see him, after so many years, as he was to see me!!
Whenever someone from your childhood passes away, a small part of you dies too. Such is the case for me, with respect to Noely Boccaccio. But I take solace in the certain knowledge that he is with the Angels.
Steve Smith
