PETER JOSEPH KOKOCHA was born in Camden on July 19, 1917 to Peter and Anna Kokocha. The 1920 Census shows the family, which included older siblings John, Martha, Frank, Helen, and Dorothy living at 1223 Morton Street. The family had lived in New York and Virginia prior to coming to Camden around 1912. The elder Kokocha worked s a shpyard carpenter and was working at a shipyard in Camden in January of 1920, as was oldest son John.

The 1930 Census shows that Martha Kokocha had married a Camden firefighter, Felix E. Bendzyn, who went on to a long an distinguished career with the Camden Fire Department. 

Peter J. Kokocha appears in the 1940 City Directory at 920 Howe Street. The 1943 City Directory has Peter Kokocha at 1181 Thurman Street. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on October 1, 1943 and reported for duty on two days later. The 1947 City Directory states that he and his wife Cecilia were living at 1181 Thurman Street. Fire Department records show an address of 1055 Thurman Street. In later years he resided at 1039 North 32nd Street in Camden's Cramer Hill Neighborhood.

Peter Kokocha was initially assigned to Engine Company 11 on North 27th Street in Cramer Hill. On April 1, 1946 he was reassigned to Engine Company 7 on Kaighn Avenue.  He was again transferred on Jun3 7, 1959, this time to Ladder Company 2. On July 1, 1962 Peter Kokocha was reassigned to Fire Communications. He retired on October 1, 1975 after over 31 years service.

Peter Kokocha later moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. He passed away on February 27, 1989. He was survived by his wife and daughters Diane and Nancy. A son, Robert "Bob" Kokocha had passed in 1982 at the age of 39.