Paul Cocotos was born on December 27, 1936 to Athena (née Anagnostis) and Thomas Cocotos. He grew up in Washington Heights and graduated from Barnard School for Boys in 1954, spending his summers at Admiral Farragut Academy where he learned to sail. Paul was granted his BA in Business from New York University and a year of Restaurant Management from Michigan State University. He managed his family business, The Ocean Breeze Restaurant & Diner in Jersey City, from 1958 to 1973. He then got certified as a business teacher at Fairleigh Dickinson College and taught business subjects at Eastside High School in Paterson until his retirement in 1997.
Paul was a sailing enthusiast. He started with Hobie Cats, then Flying Scots and finally Lightening sailboats in New Jersey, Hampton Bays and Florida winning many races and more friends.
Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years Helen (née Andreopoulos), daughter Athena Hope White (her husband Neil), son Thomas Nicholas Cocotos (his partner Jackson Taylor), grandchildren Elaina Catherine Herpel (her husband Tim) and Robert Paul White, as well as his great granddaughter Daphne Athena Herpel. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Dr. Steve and Mary Cocotos, niece and nephews Hope Caviris Frudakis, Charles Caviris, Peter Cocotos (Julie), Christopher Cocotos (Kim) and their children, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends are invited to visit Sunday, March 23rd, 5 – 8 pm at Hunt Stellato Funeral Home, 1601 Palisade Avenue, Ft. Lee, NJ. The funeral will be on Monday, March 24th at 11 am at the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian, 353 East Clinton Ave, Tenafly, NJ. Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery, Englewood, NJ. Donations may be made in Paul’s memory to the Cathedral.
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