Obituaries 10-10-2024

Willliam “Bill” Cochrane

He lived life to the fullest, always seeking out new adventures

William “Bill” Cochrane, a lifelong resident of Winthrop, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2024, at the age of 83. Bill is survived by his wife, Susan Kinney Cochrane, his sister-in-law, Ella Cochrane, his beloved daughter, Katelyn Cochrane, and her fiancé, Nicholas McCarthy. Bill was predeceased by his parents, James Ralph and Jean Cochrane and his brother, David Cochrane. Born in Boston, Bill spent the majority of life in Winthrop, where he grew up, attended school, and graduated. He continued his education at East Coast Aerotech.

He went on to serve as part of the Army Reserves, where he provided aid during the aftermath of the infamous 1960s plane crash in Winthrop Bay, a service that stayed with him throughout his life. Bill was a longtime member of the Winthrop Yacht Club, Pleasant Park Yacht Club, and the Winthrop Lodge of Elks. His involvement in these groups reflected his strong ties to the community. Over the years, he formed lasting friendships and enjoyed being part of these organizations. He began his professional journey in sales at Xerox, but his passion for flying led him to Japan Airlines where he spent most of his career. His love for flying was legendary,  it was here that Bill found a way to blend his love for travel and his professional life, forging deep connections with colleagues and experiencing the world. Bill lived his life to the fullest, always seeking out new adventures.

He spent his free time exploring the globe, running marathons, fishing and getting away to Vermont and New Hampshire with his closest friends. His love of adventure was not limited to the ground—Bill was also an avid pilot, and his passion for flying was well known to all who knew him. Those closest to him will remember his laid-back spirit and ability to bring joy to any situation. His presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Bill’s life serves as a reminder of the importance of exploring the world with an open heart and embracing each moment with humor and love. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Sunday, October 13 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Immediately after, a celebration of life will be held at the Pleasant Park Yacht Club. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.

Robert Anthony

“Coach” DeFelice Educator, Administrator and Award-Winning Coach

It is with great sadness that the family of Robert Anthony (“Coach”) DeFelice announce his passing on Sunday October 6, 2024. He was 82 years old at the time of his passing. An educator, administrator, and coach with a career spanning six decades, Coach will be remembered lovingly and forever for the countless number of lives he impacted. He was a lifelong resident of his beloved Winthrop.

DeFelice was a 1959 graduate of Winthrop High School, and a 1963 graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree in history. He began his coaching career in 1963 as head football coach and assistant basketball coach at Christopher Columbus High School, a position he held for three years. In 1965, he began a three-year playing career in the Boston Red Sox minor league organization.

In 1967, he was a player-coach with the Pittsfield Red Sox. In that same year, He became the first head baseball coach of the then Bentley College Baseball program, a position he would hold for an astonishing 54 years. DeFelice spent 17 years (1970-86) as an educator, administrator, and head football coach at his alma mater, Winthrop High School.

During that time, he led the Viking football program to a 101-65-2 record, with four Northeast Conference championships, a 33-game winning streak in the early 1980’s and two Eastern Massachusetts Division II Super Bowl titles. In 1987, he joined the Bentley University athletic department staff on a full-time basis, first as an assistant athletic director, then an associate athletic director, and finally in 1991 as the Director of Athletics. He held this position until he retired in 2022 at the age of 80. He has been inducted into nine Halls of Fame, the most recent being the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association Hall of Fame.

He was honored by Boston College in 1986, Bentley in October 1999, and was a charter member of the Winthrop High Hall of Fame in 1997. In November 2002, he was one of four inductees into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. In November 2010, he was a charter inductee into the Intercity Hall of Fame.

He has also been inducted into the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches, the Boston Park League and the Union Printers International Baseball League halls of fame. DeFelice helped establish the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and was a founder of the Eastern Football Conference. He served as the EFC commissioner from 1997-2000, when it was absorbed by the Northeast-10 Conference.

Among the many honors he has received are the Jack Butterfield Award from the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association, the Murray Lewis Award from the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Football Officials and the Whitey Allard and Marty McDonough Memorial Sportsmanship Award from the College Baseball Umpires Association of New England. He received the George C. Carens Award from the New England Football Writers in December 2017 for his lifelong contributions to the sport of football and received the Ron Burton Distinguished American Award in May 2022 from the Grinold Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

DeFelice is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Patricia (Markunas) DeFelice, his four children: Christine, Kimberly, Michael and Nicole, all of Winthrop and seven grandchildren: Alexandra, Michael, Robert, Anthony, Francesca, Matthew and Nicholas. He is also survived by his brother, Francis DeFelice and his wife, Susan (Mahegan) of Swampscott, his sister, Susan DeFelice of Winthrop and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 3 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Saturday, October 12,  at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 10 a.m.

Services will conclude with the interment in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Viking Pride Foundation at www.vikingpride.org or to the Bentley Falcons Athletics at www.bentley.edu.

To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.  

Ronni Kate Cohen 

Long time educator, named Delaware Teacher of the Year in 2000

Ronni Kate Cohen of Claymont, Delaware passed away September 30 after a brief illness.  She was the daughter of the late Judith (Krulfeld) and Harry Cohen of Winthrop. She leaves her sister, Sharon Cohen of Winthrop, her brother, Stan and her sister in law, Vivien of Plymouth and was predeceased by her sister, Barbara Cohen Herzog. She also leaves her much loved nephews, Seth and his wife, Ananda and Aaron and his wife, Jessica and her grandniece, Gracie and grandnephew, Callum, all of Somerville. Her cousins include: Temma Cohen, Michael Schlafman, Myrna Weitzman, Steven Mitchell and Kathy Simon. She also leaves her beloved cats, Sissy, Nola Ann Pelosi, Luz and Tommy B.  

She graduated from the University of Delaware and has a Master’s Degree from Widener University. She was an elementary school teacher for 33 years in both Claymont and Wilmington, Delaware. During this time, she started a bank for the students in association with the Wilmington Trust, and this model is now used in 20 schools in Delaware. She was named the Delaware Teacher of the year in 2000.  

After retirement, she was named the Executive Director of the Delaware Institute of Financial Literacy. She also received the Freedoms Foundation Leavey Award for private enterprise education. She was entered into the Congressional Record by Senator Carpey for her accomplishments in economic education and entrepreneurship.  Her wonderful friends include Bonnie, Tami, Tina, Marie, Jenna, Dinette, Melisa, Debbie Q, Debbie G, Tracy and so many others we may have forgotten.  

Please donate to A Buddy For Life, Inc. 16 Cornwall Rd, New Castle, DE, 19720 or at www.abuddyforlife.org.  A Funeral Service was held on Sunday, October 6 at Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon. Shiva was at the home of Stan and Vivien on Monday, October 7 and a memorial will be held in Delaware at a later date.

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