Family, friends mourn two brothers

Hundreds of family members and friends of Joseph and Thomas Occhiogrosso filled the pews of St. Brigid’s R.C. Church in Westbury to pay their respects to the two brothers who were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver as they attempted to cross Hempstead Turnpike on Aug. 23.

Joseph Occhiogrosso, 28, a plumber, was known for taking care of his elderly grandmother in her East Meadow home.

Thomas, 27, who was known by many as T.J., was an inactive reservist in the U.S. Navy who served two tours in Iraq. He was also a former member of the East Meadow Fire Department before he moved to Riverhead, where he lived with his wife, Erin, and daughter, Cecilia.

A memorial fund for Thomas’s daughter is being arranged by Margaret and Paul Occhiogrosso. Donations can be sent to 796 Grand Boulevard, Westbury, N.Y. 11590.

At a bail reevaluation hearing on Aug. 28, Judge Martin Massell set bail for the alleged drunk driver, James Farr, at $350,000 cash or bond. He was initially ordered held without bail at his arraignment on Aug. 24. Farr, 33, of Garden City, is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter and one count of DWI, authorities said. The bail had not been posted as the Herald went to press.

Police continue to investigate the incident and have said that charges against Farr could be upgraded.

According to court records, Farr is due back in court on Sept. 18.