Obituary of Americo P. Cocco

PHILADELPHIA- Americo P. Cocco, age 101, of 7 Irish Avenue, Philadelphia, passed away on Friday, January 16, 2015 at his home under the loving care of his family and Jefferson County Hospice. Americo was born on October 6, 1913 in Ft. Edwards, NY to the late Dominic and Jennie (Cataldo) Cocco. Americo graduated from Philadelphia High School. Mr. Cocco studied at Drew University in Madison, NJ where he earned a Bachelor's Degree, and Columbia University in New York City, where he earned a Master's Degree. He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942 until his honorable discharge in 1945. During his service he became an interpreter of French, Italian and German. Following his service in the Army, he worked as a professor of European history at Seton Hall University in New Jersey from 1946 until his retirement in 1978. Americo loved to travel, and he especially enjoyed spending his winters in Florida. He was an avid New York Yankees baseball fan and recounted stories of attending games at Yankee Stadium and watching his favorite player, Joe DiMaggio. He loved singing and playing the piano. Mr. Cocco was a member of the Barbershop Quartet and was a member of the choir at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Philadelphia for many years. Surviving are many nephews and their spouses, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Americo is predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Nicholas and Robert. There will be a graveside service for Americo at Sandy Hollow Cemetery in Philadelphia at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Donations may be made in Americo's memory to the Robert Markwick Post 798, P.O. Box 326, Philadelphia, NY 13673 or to the Sandy Hollow Cemetery Association, 4 Church St., Philadelphia, NY 13673.