Senior Bus Powered by Bocce!

& community love

Maracuja, a neighborhood bar (279 Grand Street), was 2025’s Bocce for Bus champion.

Sixteen teams battled via bocce in this annual tournament that fundraises for the Swinging Sixties Senior Bus that helps older adults get from their homes to the center and back again. This year the number of teams doubled — in previous years there have been eight teams in competition. Also, the weather turned and drove the remaining games from the Domino Park outdoor courts to the Swinging Sixties Older Adult Center’s (211 Ainslie Street), indoor bocce courts in the basement.

They played as long as the weather would allow at Domino Park. Then when the rain was too much moved the final games to 211 Ainslie’s courts.

NYS Assembly Member Emily Gallagher attended and hung out even during the rain. The Instagram post below shows video of bocce being played during the rain. What troopers!

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Before there was a bus, there was bocce. The tournament began June 2017 in order to help purchase the bus/van, which became the Swinging Sixties Senior Bus. The first few tournaments were held at the bocce courts at 211 Ainslie Street. Then, Domino Park offered their courts in the past few years.

“We raised the most ever. Thank you so much for supporting this great cause and our beloved neighborhood seniors and bus!” said Phil Caponegro, president of Conselyea Street Block Association. This year’s tournament raised $29,152 and surpassed their $25K goal.

St. Nicks Alliance and Conselyea Street Block Association (CSBA) board members in front of the Swinging Sixites Senior Bus, the reason for the bocce tournament. Pictured, (l to r) Michael Andrews (St. Nicks Alliance), Phil Caponegro (CSBA/St. Nicks Alliance), Frank Citera (CSBA), Laura James (St. Nicks Alliance), and Lisa Gutting (St. Nicks Alliance).

Maracuja, a neighborhood bar (279 Grand Street), was 2025’s Bocce for Bus champion. Team Crest Hardware, one of the original teams, is still led by Joe Franquinha one of the original and current organizers of the event. Team Crest, a strong team proven by its status as a four-time champion, took second place.