The Reverend John E. Cockayne

Reverend John E. Cockayne, 72, of Southington and Highland Beach, FL, died peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the Vitas Healthcare Hospice in Delray Beach, FL. Fr. John was born in Southington May 20, 1952 and was the son of the late Dr. John and Geraldine (Fitzgerald) Cockayne.

Fr. John was a graduate of Cheshire Academy and received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Eisenhower College, NY in 1974 and a Masters in Divinity from Christ the King Seminary, NY in 1984. He was ordained a priest by the late Most Reverend John F. Whealon on February 9, 1985 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.

His parish assignments included assistant pastor at St. Bernard in Enfield from 1985-1995, St. Thomas in Thomaston from 1996-2003 and St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield in 2006 as Spiritual Director of the Office for People with Disabilities. He retired on December 31, 2005 due to his health. While serving in Enfield and Thomaston, Fr. John was the Chaplin for the Enfield and Thomaston Police and Fire Departments where he especially enjoyed the Friday night ride alongs. Following his retirement he lived with his parents and was still active with his home parish St. Thomas in Southington.

Fr. John had an unshakable faith in God, and was a devoted and beloved Catholic priest. He developed many longtime friendships with his former parishioners especially in Southington. Even though his health presented him many challenges, he loved to celebrate Mass, and all the sacred rites of the Church. He always had a smile on his face, a good word, and a blessing for all those he encountered. He found great joy in sharing a meal with friends, a glass of chardonnay an occasional cigar, and spending the intolerable winter months with his parents in Florida.

He is survived by his nephew, Jeffrey Daddio and his wife Lauri of Cheshire and their three sons, Jayce, Carter and Tyler. He also leaves his brother-in-law, Martin Cusano of Southington and several cousins. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sister Paula Cusano.

Fr. John will lie in state on Friday, August 9, 2024 at St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Rd., Southington from 9 AM - 11 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow and will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford at 11 AM. He will be laid to rest with his parents and sister in St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Funeral services will be livestreamed and may be viewed by visiting: www.stlukect.org