Harold Mathew Cochrane

Mathew Harold "Pops" or "Dutch" Cochrane, 92, of Port Charlotte, Florida (formerly of Castleton, New York) passed away April 13, 2013. He was born August 30, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late William and Emily Cochrane.

Harold was a World War II veteran who proudly served tours in both Australia and Japan for the United States Army. After receiving the American Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal, Harold was honorably discharged in 1946. He ...was a member of the American Legion.

A devoted family man, Harold owned and operated The Paddock Inn, a local favorite pizza restaurant in Castleton. As a lifelong baseball fan he found his niche in coaching Babe Ruth and little league while maintaining the local baseball fields in Castleton. Harold ultimately relocated to the Port Charlotte area in 1981 and brought his passion for the game with him. He was a maintenance worker on the local baseball fields until his retirement from the County in 2003. The street to the fields he maintained, 'Harold Avenue', was named in honor of his dedication to the sport. Harold would never shy away from a friendly debate about the rules and regulations of the game he held dear to his heart.

Harold is survived by his sister Emily Confusioni; daughters Patricia Dugan of Albany, NY; Karen Cochrane of Port Charlotte, FL; Emily (Rick) Empie of Castleton, NY; and son Bill (Annette) Cochrane of Cape Coral, FL. He has 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Emily; Doris, his loving wife of 61 years; his brothers Wesley (Beatrice) Cochrane, William Cochrane, and sister Charlotte (Ridgeway) Pipe.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:00am Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home located at 2405 Harbor Boulevard in Port Charlotte, Florida. Burial will immediately follow at the Royal Palm Memorial Gardens. Please visit Harold's online tribute page at www.kays-ponger.com to share your special memories and/or condolences.