Obituary of Nicholas C. Cocola

Nicholas "Nicky / Coke" C. Cocola GENEVA- Nicholas "Nicky / Coke" C. Cocola, 90, passed away on Wd. (Aug. 24, 2016), at 4 p.m. in Geneva General Hospital. In honoring his wishes, there will be no prior calling hours. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Sat. (Sept. 3), in St. Mary's Mausoleum. Contributions may be directed to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, or Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd. Fairport, NY 14450. Nicholas was born on March 4, 1926, in Geneva and was a son of the late James and Julia (Ambri) Cocola. He put 39 years of service with the U.S. Government, mostly at the Seneca Army Depot as a painter and civilian chef, and 3 years in the United States Army. He was a member of the Geneva Appleknockers (Senior Corp), The Sons of Italy and The American Legion Post 396 in Geneva. Nick served in the United States Army during WWII in the 36th Infantry Texas Division and was one of the first American soldiers to reach and breach the main gate at the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, Germany. Nick loved to cook, play golf, cards and attend Equestrian events. He is survived by his loving wife, Antoinette "Tina" (Saglimbeni) Cocola of Geneva; son, James Cocola of Geneva; grandchildren, Brandon (Megan) Cocola, Nicholas (Sara) Cocola of Tampa, Fla., Daniel (Danusia) Klestinec, Kristie (Paul) D'Ambrosio and Dana Klestinec (Daniel) Newman; great-grandchildren, Matthew, Tatiana and Alexandria "Allie" Klestinec, Enzo and Giovanni Cocola, Mackenzie and Brooklyn Cocola and Gia D'Ambrosio. Nicholas was predeceased by his mother, Julia E. (Ambri) Cocola and father, James J. Cocola; sisters, Elizabeth "Bessie" (Joseph) Reo and Rose (Joseph) Barilla; brothers, Anthony "Tony" (Theresa) Cocola and James "Beaky" Cocola.