Obituary of Honorable Leonard M. Cocco

Senior Retired Superior Court Judge The Honorable Leonard M. Cocco, age 77, of Trumbull, Senior Retired Superior Court Judge, passed away suddenly on Thursday, September 23, 2010 in St. Vincents Medical Center. Born on August 25, 1933, he was the son of the late Ralph J. and Elvira Fumo Cocco. Judge Cocco was born and raised on Bridgeports East Side, and earned the nickname "Bulldog," for his tough, no-nonsense attitude on the bench. Outside of the courtroom, he was a warm, kind and gentle man who was willing to help anyone in need. A 1951 graduate of Harding High School, Judge Cocco earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Bridgeport in 1955 and his law degree from Boston University in 1958. He was appointed a Superior Court Judge in 1987, and sat on both civil and criminal cases in the Milford, Danbury, Norwalk and Bridgeport courts. For the past 10 years he served as the housing court judge for the region. Judge Cocco was a member of the Connecticut and Bridgeport Bar Associations and the State Judges Association, the past Exhaulted Ruler of the Elks Club, past president of the March of Dimes of Fairfield County and an Attorney for the Spanish Merchants Association. An avid sportman, he was a New York Yankees and Giants fan, an avid golfer and a member of the Oronoque Country Club. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Jean Grillo Cocco, two sisters Phyllis Knecht of Meriden and Vera Cocco and her husband Kenneth Root of Trumbull, his brother-in-law Lawrence M. Grillo and his wife Carol of Mount Pleasant, SC, several nieces and nephews and special godchildren. He also leaves to cherish his memory many dear friends, colleagues and the many people he has served in the community. He is pre-deceased by two sisters Lucille Grasso and Raphaele (Rae) McLaughlin. Funeral Information Friends are invited to meet directly in St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull, on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Family and friends may call on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Donations Information Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Swim Across the Sound, c/o St. Vincent Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606, Thomas Merton House, 43 Madison Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06606 or St. Margarets Shrine Restoration Fund, 162 Oak St., Bridgeport, CT 06606.