John Bocwinski was born in Argentina to Polish parents but the family emigrated to the United States in 1953 when he was 16-years-old. Bocwinski served in the US Army from 1959-61. He then moved to Chicago where he played with the AAC Eagles of the National Soccer League of Chicago, moving to Milwaukee Polonia in 1963. Bocwinski worked for over 30 years for American Motors. He also coached Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin from 1983-85. In 1987 Bocwinski was inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Association Hall of Fame.