Happy New Year, everyone.
We held our first regular council meeting of 2010 this past Tuesday evening. Present were myself, Council President Engelstad, Councilman Galassetti, and Councilwoman Marchak.
First off, we recognized 16 recent students of the month from Bradley Beach Elementary School, (four each for the months of September, October, November, and December 2009). Most of the kids and their parents attended, and it was a joy to do. The teachers provide Councilman Engelstad with a little background on each child — favorite subject, favorite activities, career aspirations, and he reads them out as the children come up and accept a congratulatory letter from me and the council. It is a lot of fun to get to know a little more about the children, and recognize their efforts, and those of the teachers and superintendent. Read More
Louis J. Coccaro, the best friend anyone could have
Louis J. Coccaro died at 11:52 pm Tuesday, April 27, 2010. He was my best friend in Bradley Beach, a beloved father, grandfather, and a true friend to hundreds besides me. Maybe thousands. I don’t know anybody who had as many friends as Lou.
Lou was a D-Day+3 invader, who earned three Battle Stars and a Purple Heart during World War II. He made a career as a Jersey City police officer, first walking a beat, then later as a detective. Lou was elected to the Jersey City Council with more than 29,000 votes, many of which he credits to friends he made while walking the beat. He proudly recalled introducing an ordinance in Jersey City that laid the groundwork for all of the waterfront development we see there today. He chaired or vice-chaired the boards of directors of the Jersey City Housing Authority and Jersey City Medical Center. He co-founded Hudson Hospice. He was a natural leader, who understood people.
Lou loved serving on the Bradley Beach Planning Board, and was always thinking of the future, and how to make things better both now and in the future. He was a bit of a crusader. If he didn’t think something was right, he’d tell you so, flat out. But he had such a joy for life, and an obvious compassion for all mankind, that if you had any brains or heart, you just couldn’t be angry with him.
Lou had hands the size of catcher’s mitts, but he knew how to sew. Even though he was 89 and I’m, you know, barely out of my 30s, we saw a lot of things the same way. Family, relationships, politics, human nature. We both loved that first sip of a really cold beer, and a hot craps table. He’d steam the stamps off envelopes, but never let you pick up a dinner check. Like any good Italian, he wasn’t happy unless he could get you to eat something.
Lou had asked me to help him write a book this year — his life story – which he planned to entitle “Wireless to Wireless,” because he started life in the telegraph era and was now living in the wireless network era. What a great title.
Lou Coccaro was a great man, and a firm believer in telling the truth. “Bring it out” he always said. “Bring it out.” He taught me a lot, and always lifted me up. He was really a tower of strength. I’m blessed to have had him in my life and so are those of you who knew him.
My heart is broken. I wish I could have my best friend back, and I’m glad to have had him while I did.
Should you wish to pay tribute to Lou, his family believes that donations to Hudson Hospice would honor his memory in a way that would have delighted him. Hudson Hospice Volunteers, Inc, 93 Clerk St, Jersey City, NJ 07305.