Claude is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Prudence Coccodrilli, other relatives and many friends, including animal companions, his Saint Bernard, Heidi, and cats Creamy, Dreamy, Motley, Hannah, Newby, and Pumpkin.
Claude was preceded in death by his parents and only sibling,
Joseph Coccodrilli.
Claude graduated from Central High School in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1964. He received his teaching degree and masters in Special Education from Bloomsburg State College. He began his teaching career at Shikellamy School District in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He also taught at the ESU in Shamokin and the Philadelphia School District. He began work at Lincoln Public Schools in 1980, teaching special education or kindergarten at Lakeview, Yankee Hill, Hawthorne, Elliott, and Arnold Elementary Schools.
Claude and Prudence eloped to Elkton, Maryland on February 15, 1980. They’d just celebrated their 40th anniversary.
Claude began his fan obsession with the Cornhusker Football team in 1969 while living in Scranton Pennsylvania. He attended the Orange Bowl where the Huskers won their second national championship in 1971. He and Prue were able to obtain tickets to one Husker home game per year from 1975 to 1980, at which time Claude and Prue realized that they could just live in Nebraska. They packed up, left Philadelphia, arrived in Lincoln on October 3, 1980, and eventually found their bliss on Adams Road outside of Pleasant Dale, a place lovingly known as the Funny Farm.
Among Claude’s interests and obsessions were Buddhism, vegetarianism, Converse shoes, female song stylists, Disney, Mickey Mouse, Westside Story, Husker volleyball, potato bakes, suspenders, t-shirts, seasonal fashions, Tanquerey, chocolates, pasta, flamingo décor, vinyl records, Tammy Faye Baker, Lifetime movies, the movie The Ten Commandments, and countless friends from all walks of life.
From his childhood, Claude kept a special place in his heart for his dog companions, and through Prue he found a place as well for felines.
Claude’s gift was to light up any room he entered. Everyone who recalls Claude does so with smiles, laughter, and a story.
Inurnment will take place at Faith Lutheran East Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to Capital Humane Society, Lincoln Public Schools Foundation, or the Linh Quang Buddhist Center.
Fond memories may be shared for the family at www.lincolnfh.com
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5