Stephen A. Cozzaglio of 60 Davis St. in Lee, Mass., died Wednesday, July 12, at Berkshire Medical Center.
Stephen was born Feb. 11, 1932, in North Adams, the son of Michael Cozzaglio, but raised as the son of Joseph and Mary Cozzaglio, educated in the local public schools and graduated from North Adams Teachers College in 1954. Soon after, Steve proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956. After returning from the service, Steve married the former Sandra Primmer on Feb. 23, 1957, and continued his education, earning his master’s degree from Springfield College in 1959. He and wife moved to Lee in 1957 where they raised their family and he became an active member in numerous organizations and town committees.
Mr. Cozzaglio taught for 13 years, six of which were in Stockbridge; was vice principal for 22 years and principal for three years within the Lee Elementary School system. Steve was a proud member of Sons of Italy G. Marconi Lodge No. 1620 in which he was active on local and national levels serving in numerous positions since 1981, including chairman of the scholarship commission, state trustee, state deputy of ITAM and Amerita Lodge. He served on the National Alzheimer’s committee, was a national arbitrator and a national delegate. He was a Grand Knight, trustee and treasurer of the Berkshire Hills Council No. 314 Knights of Columbus for many years. Steve also served as a Lee Town representative, president of the Lee Historical Society, and chairman of the Lee Town Republican Party and the Lee Council on Aging. Steve was an advisory board member for United Cerebral Palsy, active with the Berkshire UCP telethon, and was a member of the board of directors of CTSB public access station as well as one of the founders of the Berkshire County Soccer Officials organization in the 1960s.
Steve was also a member of the Berkshire County REAM, a member of the board of directors of Massachusetts REAM, a corporator of Lee Library, past president of the Berkshire County Teachers Association and Berkshire County Elementary School Principals’ Association, former member of the Lee School Committee, and life member of the Massacchusetts Association of School Committees.
When not at a meeting, assisting on a committee or tending to town politics, Steve enjoyed watching and attending various sporting events and held a deep affinity for the Boston Red Sox.
Besides his wife, Sandra, of Lee, Mr. Cozzaglio leaves behind his three children: Jeff, Jay and Jill; six grandchildren: Michael, Jonathon, Jessica, Christopher, Stephen and Tasha; and one great-granddaughter, Zoe. He also leaves his brother, Joseph Cozzaglio Jr., and his sister, Margaret Scrivens.
Funeral services for Stephen A. Cozzaglio will be held on Thursday, July 20, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church with the Rev. Brian McGrath, pastor, officiating. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, July 19, from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation in his name to either the Berkshire County UCP or the G. Marconi Lodge No. 1620 Scholarship Fund in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238. To leave a message of condolence or share pictures, visit www.kellyfuneralhome.net.
