Edward Leonard Kocan
Edward Leonard Kocan, 89, died on August 11, 2026. He was born on January 29,1937 in Charleston, SC to the late Stanley Joseph and Josephine Hutchings Kocan. He was the youngest of four children, predeceased by his sisters, Mary Kocan Freers and Betty Kocan Lyttle, and brother Stanley J. Kocan, Jr.
Ed grew up in Pensacola, Florida. He studied at the University of Louisville on an NROTC scholarship and served for three years as a commissioned officer in the US Navy. Following his military service, he enjoyed working in the aerospace industry during the exciting days of lunar exploration. He continued his studies in evening classes and earned graduate degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and C. W. Post College. It was during this time that he fell in love with Patricia Ann Hayes, they married and started their family.
In 1973, the family moved to Raleigh, where he worked for CP&L at a time when they were planning several nuclear power generating units. He later worked at the Equipment Unit of NCDOT from which he retired in 1999.
He was an active member of St. Raphael Catholic Church since 1973. He was a Charter Grand Knight of Cardinal Spellman Council No. 6107, Knights of Columbus, Colchester, CT and Charter Deputy Grand Knight of St. Raphael’s Council No. 9880 in Raleigh. He was also a former member of Wake Community Lions Club and served on their Board of Directors for twelve years.
Ed loved talking about his interest in and his family connection to lighthouses, cheering on the Carolina Hurricanes, and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife Patricia Hayes Kocan, with whom he recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary. He is predeceased by his daughter Kathryn Deborah Kocan, and survived by his daughters Kimberly Kocan Viscount (Edward Vincent Viscount III, deceased) and Carolyn Patricia Kocan (Christopher Charles Kuczek). Ed had four grandchildren, Kirsten Renée Viscount, Edward Vincent Viscount IV (Jenna Scanlon Viscount), Anna Delaney Viscount, and Brendan Patrick Viscount. He also had two great grandchildren, Kieren Hayes Corrigan and Renée Marie Viscount.
A celebration of Ed’s life will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. The visitation will begin at 12:15 PM before the 1 PM funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Raphael Catholic Church.