These Long Island friends groups have been besties for decades

A true friend is a priceless gem, especially one who has been by your side since childhood. For a fortunate bunch, these enduring friendships exist across Long Island — friends who have taken the journey through skinned knees and ice cream cones, on to births, marriages, divorces and, sometimes, loss.

Here are some “forever friends” who are testaments to lasting companionship.

Plans for a special 65th birthday celebration

Who: Regina Napolitano Antonacci, 63, Freeport; Tracy Anglim Klein, 63, Levittown; Melanie Meadows Lotito, 63, Valley Stream; Margaret Brown Cochrane, 63, Monroe Georgia; MaryEllen Gould Nakovics, 63, Moseley, Virginia

How they met: Homegrown in Levittown, Cochrane, Klein and Antonacci met through the Red Devils Cheerleading team at 7 years old, and they connected with neighborhood friends Lotito and Nakovics around the same time. Though they went to different elementary schools, they were reunited at Division Avenue High School in Levittown in seventh grade.

Early years: “Our Friday nights through our early teens were spent at Levittown Roller Rink and Jahn’s ice cream parlor,” Antonacci recalled. “When we were in high school we started hanging out at the football stands on the weekends at Redwing Field” in Levittown.

Notable memories: Six years ago, the five took a trip to Savannah, Georgia, along with some additional friends from yesteryear. “It was our core group, and we invited some others to come along,” said Antonacci. “That was one of our favorite vacations. We toured haunted houses, went on a riverboat cruise, visited town squares and spent evenings at a dueling piano bar.”

The ties that bond: “If we are having a hard week, it’s nice to know you have a friend that will pick up the phone day or night and be there for you,” Antonacci said. “As they say, friends are the family we choose for ourselves. And that certainly runs true for us.”

Present day: The women talk or text every day, celebrate each other’s birthdays and have girls’ nights out when possible. The full five vacation together once or twice a year, while the LI three meet for dinner or lunch every couple of weeks. “For our 65th birthdays we will all be going to Italy!” Antonacci said.

BONDED OVER BRUCE

Who: Michael Clara, 59, Farmingdale; James Lappin, 59, Mineola; Frank Christy, 59, Freeport; Patrick Kelly, 59, East Islip; and Timothy Kelly (no relation to Patrick), 59, Williston Park, aka “The Originals”

How they met: The “Originals” began their longstanding kinship in New Hyde Park where all five lived within four or five blocks of one another. The quintet attended grade school together and have all remained on Long Island.

Early years: Childhood brought lots of outdoor play for the group, including basketball, football, bike riding and other sports. In high school they transitioned to roller and street hockey. “Hours and hours of some fierce matches. And we loved every minute of it,” Lappin said.

Notable memories: “A big part of growing up since we were 12 years old was our mutual love for the music of Bruce Springsteen,” said Timothy Kelly. “He sang about things that we could relate to — working, fast cars and girls.” The Originals said they have attended close to 50 Springsteen concerts together over the years, traveling to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and to Philadelphia for some of the shows.

The ties that bond: “We have a group chat every day that begins at about 6:30 a.m.,” Timothy Kelly said. “One of us chimes in to get the day going. Sports, political debate or the weather. Because of that chat, we all know what the other is doing and what’s going on in their lives. It’s nice.”

That constant contact is a comfort, said Christy.

“In a couple hours’ time we can send out a text and all five guys will show up for a card game and a few laughs,” added Christy.

Present day: Though the days of schoolyard stickball are behind them, they still connect at family gatherings, weddings, an occasional ballgame and whiskey by a fire.

“Now we enjoy stories of our youth, enjoy our kids and grandkids, enjoy our friendships that have been around since what feels like the beginning of time,” Patrick Kelly said.

They say today they are closer than ever.

“I wouldn’t even say we’re best friends,” Clara said. “Our friendship is a brotherhood.”

‘SHE IS ... MY SISTER’

Who: Helene Loomis and Rose DiFronzo, both 61, of Hicksville

How they met: Loomis and DiFronzo lived next door to each other in Hicksville. They started kindergarten together and continued as classmates through high school.

Early years: As kids they spent their days in each other’s pools, playing with dolls and playing ring-a-levio with other neighborhood kids at sundown. As teens, they would take the bus to Jones Beach or to Mid Island Plaza (now Broadway Commons Mall) to browse and shop.

Notable memories: “Many times I slept over her house because her mom told us it was too cold for me to go home,” DiFronzo said. “I would call my mom and ask if it was OK, and Helene and I would run to my house to get my pajamas and then go back to her house.”

The ties that bond: “We have stood by each other even when we were miles apart,” said DiFronzo. “We have watched each other’s children grow up and have their children, which we are now proudly enjoying. She is willing to go on any adventure, even to Alaska, because she knew how much I wanted to go. She is . . . my sister. She pushes me when I need that kick.”

And their spouses have made their ties even stronger. “Our husbands are actually cousins, so our kids are cousins,” said Loomis.

Present day: “Rose comes every day on her way home from work,” said Loomis. “But it’s really not on her way home.” DiFronzo laughed and added, “What’s the big deal? So I make a left turn and not a right!”

4 FEET, 1 PAIR OF SKATES

Who: MaryAnn DiFano, 66, of Massapequa Park, and Peggy Musa, 65, of Garden City

How they met: The pair met in 1965 when DiFano moved across the street from Musa in Middle Village, Queens.

Early years: “We played school on my stoop, and since we went to Catholic school, we would play Mass using those candy discs as the host. We had a lot of imagination back then,” DiFano said. “We also went to the movies all the time. Our running gag is that because I was so short I always got in for the kid’s price, while she had to pay for an adult ticket.”

Notable memories: “MaryAnn wasn’t very coordinated, and I was the athletic one,” said Musa. “She wanted to learn to roller skate, but her parents wouldn’t let her do it, especially outside, because they thought she would kill herself. So MaryAnn decided I should teach her in her basement on her brand-new linoleum floor. We only had one pair of skates, and they were the metal kind you attached to your shoes, so we each wore one skate. We had such a good time for hours until we were done and realized there were black scuff marks covering the entire floor!”

The ties that bond: “She has been Lucy to my Ethel,” DiFano said. “We laugh at everything. We have been through everything good and bad together, our children’s births, our parents’ deaths and everything in between. We were friends that became sisters. I could never imagine my life without her.”

Present day: DiFano’s and Musa’s husbands have also become friends, and the families now have holidays together and go to dinner as often as they can. A new hobby for the foursome is making and jarring fresh tomato sauce.

POOL PARTIES AND SLEEPOVERS

Who: Janet Naccarato, 61, of East Islip, Sybil McPherson Curry, 61, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Ana Fleming, 62, of Bay Shore

How they met: The trio met at Southwest Elementary School in Bay Shore in fourth grade.

Early years: “We had sleepovers at all of our homes throughout our time together,” said Curry. “Many pool parties at my house as well.” The girls were also in chorus and gym show, while Naccarato and Fleming took ballet and twirling lessons together.

Notable memories: “I met Ana first in the cafeteria in fourth grade because she felt bad for me,” Naccarato said. “I was always the last one eating and had to clean the lunch table, so she would come and sit with me!”

The ties that bond: “Our friendship is special because we still keep in touch by text daily,” Curry said. “We know each other’s parents, siblings, cousins, etc. We’ve spent a lot of time together growing up. We understand how special it is to have long-term friendships. It makes me proud to have enduring friendships that are loving and supportive.” Naccarato said she feels the same: “I love these ladies and the over 50 years of having them in my life.”

Present day: They’ve taken several beach house vacations and hope to get to Italy or France. The three women get together several times a year when Curry comes to New York, either going out to dinner or gathering at one of their homes.

‘UNFORGETTABLE DOUBLE DATES’

Who: Ninane Boscia, 59, Great Neck, and Lisa Frangipane, 59, Brookhaven

How they met: Their paths first crossed in 1978 at Levittown Memorial Junior and Senior High School when their lockers were near each other.

Early years: “In high school, we both dated two boys who were, coincidentally, also best friends,” said Boscia. “It made for some unforgettable double dates and a lot of laughter as we navigated those teenage years together.”

Notable memories: The teens spent their time talking on the phone for hours, listening to music, attending concerts and going to Jones Beach together. “We also went on vacations, had sleepovers, went camping and took the bus to the Sunrise Mall for fun frequently,” added Frangipane.

The ties that bond: “What’s kept our friendship so special is how we’ve stayed connected through every stage of life,” said Boscia. That and their shared history, added Frangipane. “We share many similarities, such as growing up with divorced parents who remarried and working for our family-owned businesses after high school,” she said.

Present day: Boscia and Frangipane get together for some “friend time” every three months or so. “We just recently met in Levittown for facials and lunch,” said Boscia. “It is surreal to go back to our hometown."