John was born in Bradford, PA on September 29, 1930 a son of John and Bertha (Baxter) Cocco, and was raised by his adoptive parents, Michael & Louisa Cocco of Salamanca, NY.
John faithfully served his country in the U.S. Navy from where he retired after 20 years of service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Following his retirement from the Navy, John worked for Sears and Roebuck in Sales and Security for several years. His passion was skiing and he became a member of the National Ski Patrol where he served at mountains all over Maine. He started at Sky-Hy in Topsham and most recently was at the Camden Snow Bowl where he was Head Ski Patroller. He was also a certified E.M.T., and was a member of the American Legion, Topsham Memorial Post#202.
John enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing pool and was an avid reader. He had lived in Brunswick from 1962 to 1999 before he moved to New York. He returned to Brunswick, a place he loved a year and a half ago.
He is predeceased by his first wife, Frances Free, who died in May, 1998; and his second wife, Thelma Winchell, who died in March, 2011.
Surviving are his son, Michael Cook of Brunswick; three daughters, Sandy Bell of Wiscasset, Margaret Brady and her husband, Russell of Windham, and Patti Pierson and her husband, Tad of Pontoon Beach, Ill; his brother, Ted Cocco of Waldoboro; his sister, Arlene Whitney of Woolwich; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. John is also survived by his companion, Kay Torrey of Brunswick.
A memorial service will be held at 11AM Thursday, July 12, at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick with Rev. Neil Gastonguay officiating. If desired, donations in John’s memory can be made to the Maine Cancer Foundation, 170 US Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, Maine 04105, or to the National Kidney Foundation, Inc., 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016. Condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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