Community remembers former Corning Mayor Frank Coccho: Longtime public servant dies surrounded by family at 77

Former Corning Mayor and City Councilor Frank Coccho passed away this week at the age of 77.

He died November 10 at his home with his wife and family by his side, according to his obituary.

He was first elected to city council in 1986. He became mayor in 2005.

Read the full obituary below:

Frank P. Coccho, age 77, of Corning, NY passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at his residence with his wife and family by his side.

He was born on May 28, 1944 in Corning and was the son of Joseph and Mary (Messina) Coccho.

Frank married Betty J. Carpenter on November 28, 1964 at St. Vincent DePaul Church in Corning.

He attended Northside High School, and at the age of 17, Frank joined the United States Army and served from 1961-1964, receiving an honorable discharge.

After the Army, he started working for the Box Factory in Riverside and then worked for Corning Incorporated for 30 years as a pipe fitter. He served as President of the American Flint Glass Workers Union Local 1000 from 1989 to 1991. In 2002, along with his brother Joseph Jr., they started J&F Electrical & Plumbing and worked together for several years, specializing in testing and installation of backflow devices, becoming Certified by New York State, working with Steuben, Schuyler, and Chemung Counties.

He was a longtime resident of Corning, loving his family and serving the community. Frank volunteered for the Cinderella Softball League, Corning Meals on Wheels, Corning Hospital and many other organizations. He was a long-time member of the City Democratic Party, serving on the Corning City Council since 1986. In 2005, Frank was elected the first Democratic Mayor of Corning since 1953.

Frank enjoyed politics, cooking shows, and watching old movies. He loved traveling with Betty to Las Vegas, but most of all spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Betty of 57 years; daughter, Gina (Brent) Palmer of Porter, TX; son, Frank (Jennifer) Coccho, Jr. of Fairport, NY; four grandchildren: Alexa Palmer, Frankie, Isabella, and Porter Coccho; brother, Joseph Coccho, Jr. of Painted Post, NY; sister, Virginia Barden of Corning; and many nieces and nephews.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Theresa Bonomo; and brother, Anthony Coccho, Sr.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

There will be a public visitation on Monday, November 15, 2021 from 3pm to 6pm at Haughey Funeral Home, Inc., 216 E. First Street, Corning, NY 14830 with a Celebration of Life service to follow at 6PM with Deacon Brian Mizzoni officiating.

For those that are unable to attend Frank’s service and wish to watch it by livestream use the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/frank-p-coccho.

Frank’s family has entrusted his care to Haughey Funeral Home, Inc.