Robert Bocanegra Sr.

It is with a heavy heart, we send word that our beloved father and patriarch of our family, Robert Bocanegra, has passed. He peacefully crossed over to our Lord on February 1, 2023, surrounded by his four loving children. Born on September 12, 1937 in Edna, Texas, he rose from humble beginnings to create a life of real meaning that was devoted to both his family and those fortunate enough to know him. He met the love of his life, Antonia Bocanegra. The two were wed in Victoria, Texas on February 8, 1959. They remained faithful and together his entire life. Always seeking a better life for himself and his family, he and his bride moved to Abilene, Texas to be closer to his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Susie Lewright. There he and Antonia put down roots that would span over forty years. For twenty-five years he used his considerable talents and ability to work with people to serve as the production manager for KRBC TV. While his professional contributions were admirable, it was in his devotion to others that also defined him.

A devout Catholic, he served with the Knights of Columbus at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 50 years. In that place he found a comfort and sense of meaning in helping to bring financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled, and needy members of his community and their families.

But as he moves on to the next life it is his personal qualities that we will all remember. He loved hunting, fishing, bowling, and using his hands to build anything he could. Chief among his passions was making the best brisket and ribs anyone has ever tasted. He found comfort in the simple pleasures, like sitting in his lawn chair in his immaculately manicured lawn, sipping a whiskey and coke, admiring his work. Neighbors would ask, “how do you make your lawn so lovely?” He always had the same answer, “nothing special.” But we all knew better. The same devotion he brought to everything he did, he applied to his yard.

It has been said, “silent water runs deep.” Our father was a quiet man at times, often preferring to listen to others, silently nodding and allowing them to speak. In the process conveying the sense that he genuinely cared about what they had to say. We always knew how much he loved us, but he possessed a private side, that he kept only to himself. While he is now gone his legacy lives on in the four amazing children he and Antonia brought into this world and raised. His four children, Susan Bocanegra, Robert Bocanegra Jr., Sandra Bocanegra Franco and Michael Bocanegra were raised in Abilene, but moved and settled in the Austin area. Their professional and family lives reflect the same quality of life and devotion to others he instilled in them as children. In 2000 he and Antonia moved to Austin to join his children and their growing families, where he continued to give to others as an active member of St. Catherine’s of Sienna and the Knights of Columbus. In addition to his children and their spouses he is survived by his grandchildren and one great grand-child, who join with us to say…Godspeed. Dad.”

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00am to 11:00am on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 2620 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704. A recitation of the holy rosary will begin at 11:00am. Funeral services will follow at 12:00pm also at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishsouth.com for the Bocanegra family.