"I love and miss you, Papa!"
In loving memory of
Amixtocle Aristoteles Cocco
The world's premier patriarch Ill. Amixtocle Aristoteles Cocco, 33° I.G.H. passed away on June 3, 2016, in his home, surrounded by boundless love from his family.
Amixtocle exuded enthusiasm for life. He traveled vigorously, gave generously, and loved fiercely. A lifelong learner, he respected knowledge and ceaselessly sought to expand his horizons. He spoke deliberately and was known for his witticisms, stories, and advice. Amixtocle valued making significant connections with people whether they were family or new friends. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Amixtocle ventured through life with a large circle of close family, but no one more closely than his wife Waltraud. The couple met while attending a nighttime English class in Chicago. In his opinion, the day he met her was the single most important day of his life. "Their poem" was written by Franklin MacCormack and it proclaimed "I love you not only for who you are, but for what I am when I am with you". The couple married on October 18, 1958.
Together they experienced many joys. They reveled in the delights of raising their children. They traveled overseas twice to explore Amixtocle's ancestral heritage in Italy and Waltraud's birthplace in Germany. They also fulfilled their passion for community service by volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul to serve meals to the homeless twice every month and with the Salvation Army at Christmastime to ring bells at store fronts. Amixtocle would give the shirt off of his back to help a person in need. He truly embodied duty, generosity, and charity.
He was an Electronics Technician. Having mastered the technical skills as an employee, he attended community college, which prepared him to start several successful businesses in electronics and retail. He was also a journalist. In Mexico, Amixtocle courageously exposed corruption in his local town and state. Upon returning to the United States, he formally trained as a journalist and went on to publish articles for two Spanish newspapers and to host a weekly Spanish radio program.
Following in his father's footsteps, Amixtocle was a dedicated Mason with a vast career of accomplishments. He became a Mason in 1967 with Elmhurst Lodge No.941 of A.M. & F.M. In 1969, he joined the Medinah Shriners in Chicago, Ill and the Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, where he received his 32°. He continued his involvement after moving back to Mexico, where he worked at the Instituto de Obras Sociales, an organization dedicated to assisting single mothers and battered women. He also personally petitioned Mexico's President Luis Echeverria Alvarez to use government land to successfully open a safe haven for the homeless and others in need.
Upon moving to Arizona, he joined Paradise Valley Masonic Lodge #61 (later Paradise Valley Silver Trowel #29 F. & A.M.). He joined the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, York Rite of Freemasonry, Royal Arch Masons, the Council of the Royal and Select Masters, and the Commandery of Knights Templar. He served as the Venerable Master for the Scottish Rite in 2011. He was a founder of Hispanos Unidos #83 (later El Quixote Masonic Lodge) and was elected Worshipful Master from 2009-2010. With Waltraud, he was involved with the Eastern Star, where they served as Worthy Patron and Matron in 2008, and the Phoenix Court #1 Order of the Amaranth, where he served as the Royal Patron in 2013. He was an honorary member of Nellis Lodge #46 and the Royal Order of the Thistle of the Knights of St. Andrew, both in Las Vegas, Nevada, the latter which he helped found with his son Arcangelo. Education was the primary theme for Amixtocle's service in Arizona. He was a leader for the Masonic program Bikes for Books, the Masonic scholarship program, and biannual teacher appreciation events.
Amixtocle's 49-year Masonic career culminated with one final accomplishment, becoming coroneted a 33° Master Mason in 2014. This was one of his proudest moments.
In his down time, Amixtocle enjoyed music, reading history, debate, and politics. His favorite outdoor activities were riding his bike down Phoenix trails, harvesting citrus, figs, and pomegranates from his trees, and caring for his beautiful yard.
Amixtocle was born January 7, 1926, to Raffaele Arcangelo Coco Venditti and Magarita GarcÃa Chavez in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He grew up immersed in the land of the Purépecha--Uruapan, Michoacán. At age 17, Amixtocle attended the Military Academy in Mexico and left with the rank of First Sergeant.
He cherished his family. He leaves behind two surviving sisters Dalia Cocco de GarcÃa and Marva Cocco de Jaime. He was "Papa" to nine children and their spouses: Radames and Kristie, Amneris and Salman, Themixtocle and Norma, Dwight, Arcangelo and Pam, Heidi and Hikmat, Alfio and Ivonne, Aristoteles and Maricela, and Rafael and Maricela. He was "Opa" to seventeen grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren: Jenny, Lisa, Alfio, Andrew, Omar, Arisztid, Shajira, Dominic, Omaya, Athena, Ramsey, Cassieopaeia, Annastacia, Valerie, Gianinna, Angelo, Nicholas, Dante, Atticus, and Aiden.
Amixtocle embodied a life well-lived. He firmly believed, "If you have nothing left to believe in, you must believe in yourself."
Amixtocle's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all medical team members, close friends, and extended family who have offered their support and love throughout the years. You made a huge impact in our lives, and we truly appreciate you.
A wake will be held for Amixtocle on Thursday, June 9, 2016 from 5:00p.m.-8:00p.m., and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 10:00a.m.; Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Amixtocle's passion for giving to others, please make a donation to St. Vincent de Paul, an organization dedicated to feeding, clothing, housing, and healing individuals and families who have nowhere else to turn for help.
Tributes
"Dear WB/Papa? Not a day goes by that I don\'t think of you. The pain never leaves; one just learns to live with it. I love and miss you, Papa!"
"Dear WB/Papa? Happy Father's Day. How I love and miss you! Your Son, Arcangelo Cocco, PM?"
"My Dear Papa! It is now one year since you left us. You know, everybody says that the pain will ease and go away. That is not true. The pain stays the same - you just learn to live with it. You are the best man and Mason I have ever known in my life. At lodge, I try to emulate many things you did. How I wish I could sit down one more time, just to tell you how much I love you, how much I miss you, and how much you meant to me all those years! My Dear WB/Papa?, Rest well. You more than earned it. And may the G?A?O?T?U? keep you in his arms, until I see you again. I LOVE YOU! Your son, Arcangelo"
"Papa: Mereciste mi cariño y admiración desde que te conocí, tu corazón nos ofreció cariño sin esperar nada a cambio, y con estas palabras de nuestro autor predilecto, celebro y agradezco tu paso por este mundo: ?Confiaste en tus sueños, y te abrieron la entrada a la eternidad. La tierra reclamó tu cuerpo y haz iniciado el ascenso y cantarás, se liberó tu aliento buscando a Dios. Porque morir no es otra cosa que permanecer desnudo en el viento y fundirte con el sol. Porque solo será ?Grande quien supo escuchar la voz del viento y convertirla en canto? hasta pronto ?Mi Viejo?, te amo?"
"We are so very sorry to hear about your Grandfather, Omaya and family. I did not know him well, but he was always such a nice man and so supportive of the arts. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family."
"My Brother; you have touched my life beyond my wildest comprehension. I will always remember your passion and love for all time as your soul lives on for eternity. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the love and friendship you have given me. My Brother, travel well and travel light. May God rest your soul in the heavens. We will all remember you.???"
"What an honor to have spent time talking with such a wonderful gentleman and his wife over coffee. My heartfelt condolences to his family."
"Dear Brother Cocco, You will be in our Lodge prayers all the time. We will miss your brotherly love. To his family, please accept our deepest condolences. "El Quixote" Lodge 83"
"I don't believe I ever had the privilege of meeting IllBro Cocco, but I've heard of him and knew his reputation well. I'm also seeing the outpouring of love and respect for him. To his family and loved ones, please accept my condolences. I could not imagine how you feel right now, but i hope all these well wishes and love help as much as possible."
"My heartfelt condolences. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Brother Cocco, You were a fine man and exemplary Mason. I am a better person for having known you. Prayers to all,"
"Opa, You taught me that words have weight and to soar with the eagles instead of trotting with turkeys. I didn't know you for very long but you welcomed me into the family with open arms and I appreciate that. You made my parents feel welcome as well. I regret that I didn't get more time with you, but Omaya always told me how much you meant to her. You fought until the very end. I think this poem by Dylan Thomas is very fitting: Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night. Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
"Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss?our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure."
"May this fine, accomplished gentleman's family take comfort in what he did for the world through his contributions on such meaningful levels. I can see in his son Archangelo's demeanor, heart and mind that he has inherited his father's spirit, intelligence, and skills. Rest in Peace, Sir."
"Brother Cocco. I missed such a good brother and friend. Rest in peace, you will be in our prayers"
"I did not know Amixtocle, but I know Cisco. Therefore, I know Amixtocle must have been a great man. Condolences, prayers, and healing thoughts to your entire family."
"On behalf of the Arizona DeMolay State Association and it's 200+ members, I would like to extend our condolences to the family. Last evening I sat in lodge and many of our DeMolay Alumni and adult leadership watched his son perform a poem in honor of his dad. What an incredible display of love between father and son. He was truly loved by so many in the room and the poem was such a incredible tribute to a life of a great man."
"I will never forget him. He was always coaching me and I loved it. He just had a power and warmth about him. He was an impressive man. The Scottish Rite will not be the same without him. My condolences to his beautiful family."
"I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers. If you need anything please let me know."
"Un gran ser humano, un erudito en cualquier materia y un muy queridisimo y amado hermano, dejas un vacio en nuestros corazones pero asi mismo una promesa de volveros a reencontrar una vez en la boveda celeste, se te quiso y respeto y se seguira haciendo aun en tu ausencia... Te extrañamos hermano, que tengas un camino lleno de esa luz que tanto dos obsequiaste en vida. Te quiero."
"Thank you for your service to mankind Sir. You truly are a generous man!"
"Rest in peace eternally Illustrious Brother Coco! You will be missed and never forgotten. My deepest sympathies to your family during this time of bereavement."
"Remembering your wonderful husband and wishing you comfort Mrs. Cocco, I was saddened to hear that he passed away. My wife Gladis and my thoughts are with you and your family."
"You were the love of my life. My wonderful husband, I shall miss you every day for the rest of my life. ? ? ?"
"I'm so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers."
"He is beyond all suffering. My thoughts will be with you and your family as you grieve."
"I am humbled by this man's achievements. If more people lived their lives as he did. The world would be a much better place for it. My only regret is I never got to know him better, and for that I am deeply sorry. My sincere and heartfelt condolences for your great loss. May God bless you all."
"It was my pleasure to have known such a man of great honor and also great love. His presence will be missed, but his love and wit and generosity live on in the legacy of his children and grand children. I am grateful for the wisdom he shared with me and also for how he always made me feel welcome and special. Now I pray that you rest in the arms of God and that the face of our savior Jesus Christ, shine upon you. May you hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant". I love you,Tocle, may you now be at peace."
"My heart goes out to all his dear family. He will be missed. :( Hugs!"
"To my wonderful Oma, my mom, and my loving aunts and uncles: our loss is grand, but we are together and our memories are strong. I love you very much."
"He was such a beautiful soul, family was everything to him I miss you so much every minute of every day opa. I know your in loving hands with other family members who have passed before you , dont get into to much mischief up there until I see you again Te amo"