At the regular meeting of the Village of Green Island Board of Trustees held on Monday, July 20, 2015, it was unanimously approved that the Green Island Community Center (former Italian Fraternal Society of Green Island) at 5 George Street be renamed the Michael A. Cocca, Sr. Community Center in honor of his memory and his contributions to that building, our community and our Country.
Mr. Cocca was a United States Navy veteran, serving our Country valiantly during World War II, and receiving many honors for his service and heroism. He was a longtime member of the Italian Fraternal Society and was involved when the “Italian Club” was built and subsequently dedicated on November 2, 1963. He remained active with the Italian Club throughout its existence there, including time as President, and was the key player with the Italian Club and as Deputy Mayor of the Village, in the transaction when the Village purchased the building from the Italian Fraternal Society in 2006. His longtime involvement with the Green Island Senior Citizens, which occupies the Community Center, as former Chairman of the Board of Directors and as Board member until he passed away solidifies why the building should be named in his honor. Mike’s involvement with the building through the Italian Club, Village Board and Senior Citizens will be long remembered along with his brave service to Green Island and the United States of America.
An official dedication service will be planned in the near future.