John E. Cockayne

Southington- Dr. John E. Cockayne, of South Ocean Blvd, Highland Beach, FL and formerly of Southington passed away Sat. June 5, 2010 at Hospital of Central CT, Bradley Memorial. He was the loving husband of Geraldine Fitzgerald Cockayne for 61 years.

He was born April 10, 1922 in Southington son of the late Percy and Catherine (O?Connell) Cockayne. He served as an altar server at St. Thomas Church, the University of CT; and also while in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from Lewis High School in 1939. He was on the track and hockey teams and served as class treasurer. He was a charter member of the Sons of the American Legion Kiltonic Post #72 and a past captain. He attended the University of CT for pre-dental work and graduated from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Lt Senior Grade and Senior Dental Officer for the 9th Naval District Officers Separation Center at Great Lakes. He then became Senior Dental Officer at the Naval Air Station and Naval Base in Bermuda. He entered a private practice of general dentistry on Main St. in Southington in 1947. He was a dental consultant at Bradley Memorial Hospital with operating room privileges. He also was an Incorporator of Bradley Memorial Hospital, a charter member and past president of the Southington Dental Association, a member of the Academy of General Dentist, Director of the Greater Waterbury Dental Society and chaired on the Peer Review Committee. Later he served on the Peer Review Committee of CT State Dental Association for many years. He was a strong advocate of putting fluoride in the Southington Public Water Supply to help prevent dental caries. He was a great supporter of the University of CT Medical Dental Schools by encouraging legislation. He was a charter member of the Mountain Grove Swim Club, past president of the Southington Lions Club and a Key Award Recipient. He served on the Board of the Southington Bank and Trust, and on the Board of Directors of the United Way for many years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurses Association. He was a member of the St. Thomas Cemetery Committee, a charter member of the UCONN Club and life member of the UCONN Alumni Association, a life member of the Greater Waterbury Dental Association, the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. His hobbies were love of family and friends, golf, gardening, swimming, and UCONN sports- football, basketball, soccer and baseball.

Besides his wife he is survived by a son, Rev. John E. Cockayne, a daughter, Paula Ann Cusano and husband Martin, cherished grandson, Jeffrey Daddio and fiancé Lauri Fernandez, sisters, Jean Scavatto and husband Carmen of Enfield and Katherine Karish Litke of Farmington and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Ruth Crafts and husband Alfred and two brothers-in-law, Clifford Karish and Richard Litke.

The family would like to thank the ICU, nurses, emergency room staff , and 3rd floor staff at Bradley Memorial for all their care.

The Funeral will be held Wednesday 9:15 a.m. from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St. to St. Thomas Church at 10 a.m. Burial will be with Military Honors at St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Southington Lions Club Eye Research Program, P.O. Box 457, Southington, CT 06489, or the Radio & TV of Archdiocese of Hartford, 15 Peach Orchard Rd. Prospect, CT 06712 or St. Thomas Church, 99 Bristol St. Southington, CT 06489.