Joseph Anthony Cocuzzo

Joseph A. Cocuzzo, who lived nearly all his life in Union, New Jersey, died Thursday, Sept. 2, in California surrounded by his loving family. He would have celebrated his 90th birthday in November. Born in Italy in 1931, Joe came to America at 18 months of age, and was a 1952 graduate of Union High School, where he met his future wife, Judy Day, of nearly 65 years. She passed away in 2019. Joe served on active duty in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1950 to 1956 before honorably discharged as a sergeant. He then opened his own grocery store in Westfield, New Jersey. Serving in the Army and owning a business were his early life goals. Joe later worked 29 years at Elastic Stop Nut Corp. of America in Union. As a committeeman for the local United Auto Workers Union, he organized employee outings to Yankees and Mets games in New York in the late 1960s. He also worked at Durex in Union before retiring in 1995. Joe was a devoted Yankees fan since the days of Joe DiMaggio, his favorite, and he a remained a loyal Giants fan through the many lean years. One of his passions was cooking, especially creating Italian delights, which he shared with family and friends. Surviving Joe are his sons, Kenneth (and his wife, Candace) of Pennsylvania, and Richard (and his wife, Jodi) of California; a daughter, Diane Cocuzzo of West Orange, New Jersey; a sister, Jean Ford of Union and five granddaughters, Jamie Demsey, Tracy, Caitlin, Layne, and Meagan Cocuzzo. Another granddaughter, Kristy Cocuzzo, is predeceased. Donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, 225 Williamson St., Elizabeth, N.J. 07202