Joseph Coccia has left us. It is a great loss, and I deeply regret not having had the time in the last few months to go visit him. I wanted to spend some more time with him, perhaps in his house, to conduct one of those interviews that require attention, to gather not only the words of those in front of you, but also suggestions, distant thoughts, desires. Maybe in his Italian, in that bit of a dialect, which tells a story of its own. This was not possible. There is less and less time for the truly important things.
And now, as I learn of his death, Joseph Coccia leaves also in me, a void filled only by the memory of his eyes and his simple way in which he was able to get close to people.
He did not want to be in the limelight, as unfortunately often is the case with other philanthropists. He had the ability to wait, while respecting work and to be aware, being the son of Joseph and Clementina Coccia, Italian immigrants, of having had a difficult life but being lucky at the same time, as he once told me.
Cav. Joseph Coccia was a rare example, in my opinion, of sincere generosity without any unnecessary grandstanding and with great human concern... But above all, Joseph Coccia had the ability to find himself among young people, as a great grandfather to all.
We are publishing an article about him from about a year ago in order to remember him and to feel as he is still with us.
