Obituary
Guest Book

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Marita Parthemore
June 1, 2024
5 years already! Charlie´s family is amazing and they honor him by their love and strength
God bless you all!
Marita Parthemore
May 30, 2023
Thinking of Anita, Kelly (Zack), Jimmy (Caroline) and Charlie´s siblings.
4 years ago forever changed your landscape but, fortunately, new lives have brought light into the Cockerill family.
God bless you.
Love,
Marita
Eugene Kane
July 27, 2020
Just learned of Charlie's passing. Enjoyed working with him when i was a law clerk and he was an assistant public defender. Good person. Praying for him and his family.
Bob and Debbie Mills
June 17, 2019
Sincere condolences to the entire family .. thoughts and prayers at this difficult time
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Andy Sonner
June 8, 2019
Charles was a highly respected lawyer and magistrate who is remembered well by all who knew him. His passing at such an early age is tragic.
Jack Ferraro
June 7, 2019
During this past year we lost two of the truly great guys of the Dartmouth College Class of !967, and more specifically of those of us who lived in Topliff Hall during our freshman year: Charlie Cockerill and John Benzian, who happened to be be roommates that year ( 1963-4 ) and lifelong friends to each other and to many of us. The world which we know will profoundly miss both of them as we were far better off with their respective presences.
Theresa Couch
June 6, 2019
Dear Neats and Family, John and I are very sorry to hear about Charlie. We are glad you have family and friends to help you through this difficult time. Theresa and John Couch
Judi Bluefeld Amick
June 6, 2019
So sorry for your loss.
Lots of memories, in court and well before he was a magistrate. My husband, Bill Amick, and Charlie worked together in a small law firm as their first foray into the law, in an old office in Silver Spring. I remember meeting "Neets" long tme ago. Maybe Bill and Charlie will find each other again.
MaryAnn Naughton
June 6, 2019
Neats- We're so sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. Sometimes, life's just not fair. All our love,
MaryAnn and Mike
Don Simons
June 6, 2019
I have alot of great memories growing up with Charlie. Playing sports, listening to alot of music, going to Somers Point, hanging out at the Hawk and Dove - all of it was a special time. Charlie had the quickest wit and could talk on any subject. He was the best of us.
June 6, 2019
CHARLIE COCKERILL WOOHOO! was not the last word or part of a last conversation I had with Magistrate Charles Cockerill. No, that was the cheer he exhorted when we saw Jeff Beck in concert at Wolf Trap and Beck played one of Charlie's favorite covers of the Beatle's A Day in The Life. He had told me to expect it somewhere in the set and I wasn't disappointed. I wasn't the only friend of Charlie's to experience music with him. Nonetheless, there was a special feeling walking into his Chambers at the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Maryland and after an actual legal question or two Magistrate Cockerill loved to talk the law and nuances of particular cases and then the music came on It may have been a new Little Feat CD compilation or ZZ Top or especially Jeff Beck (Live at Ronnie's) or a discussion of Washington and Maryland music of Roy Buchanan, Link Wray, Rory Gallagher or others. We talked about the Wheaton Team Club and dance and show bands we used to see and like. We would recall the drive-in at the Georgia Avenue Hot Shoppes or great concerts and shows put on at his alma mater Montgomery Blair High School. There were times when we would just talk about our families (always a favorite subject for me). Charlie's son and my son Julian were contemporaries and through the years rivals at times playing recreational football leagues at Dogwood Park or when there was a Wootton v Richard Montgomery Game. He was very fond of his children and like me genuinely proud of their advanced education and accomplishments. Charlie gave of himself with his guidance, incredible insight into family law, and his warm and affable friendship. He would tell me in chambers sometimes, Show me something that will knock my socks off Brian that's what will make a difference!
Magistrate Cockerill retired from the Bench. He was instantly missed and his time as a Domestic Relations Magistrate became a happy memory and created a void of a man who ruled with intellect, fairness, and care and concern for the children of families who came before him with child custody cases. His words, sometimes gentle sometimes stern were never far off the mark when he would temper his findings and recommendations to families when a case was completed. The hope was that somewhere his truly sage advice would sink into the litigant's heads and they would finally get it' that their children and families were the focus and not the quarrel.
A friend to many has passed. I think the testament to a man like Magistrate Charles Charlie Cockerill remains with all of the courthouse staff, friends, lawyers, acquaintances who each knew something special about Charlie or simply put, how much Charlie cared for people, his friends and families and good music. Be at rest my friend. You are missed.
Mary Lynn and Ed Podolak
June 5, 2019
We are so sorry to hear this sad news. We loved visiting with you and Charlie at Kathy's Christmas Eve celebrations. He was so funny and full of great stories. We will miss him. Mary Lynn and Ed
Mike Fenlon
June 5, 2019
So Sad,Charlie was Truly one of the Good Guys!
Ralph
Steve Rollins
June 5, 2019
My deepest condolences to the Cockerill family. I went to Blair with Charlie, I will always remember us as cheerleaders for the powder puff football game our senior year. A real great gentleman will be sorely missed.
Susan Rubin
June 5, 2019
So very very sorry to hear this. I actually went to Blair at the same time as Charlie so particularly enjoyed trying cases before him.It is good to know he enjoyed his retirement and the time spent with family. Sue Rubin
Heather McCabe
June 5, 2019
Magistrate Cockerill was a great mentor to me. I appeared in front of him many times. He was always perfectly poised at the bench and warm and caring in Chambers. He has reserved a special place in my heart. I am holding everyone who loved him in the light, but most especially I'm holding Charlie there. My deepest condolences.
Judge Nelson Rupp
June 5, 2019
Anita, Jimmy and Kelly,
Charlie was a great man. I knew him as an attorney and Family Law Magistrate. He was highly respected in the legal community. He was not only a terrific lawyer and Magistrate, but he was a kind, compassionate man with a wonderful sense of humor. He will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss.
Alisha Jacobsen
June 5, 2019
I am very sorry to learn of Magistrate Cockerill's death. He was one of the magistrates I appeared before as a new attorney. He was considerate and respectful of all parties in the contested custody matter. He was also very kind to talk to at bar association events, especially for a new attorney finding her way as I was. He will be missed but fondly remembered.
Kathy Waters
June 5, 2019
Over the years,I have so many memories of laughs and good times spent with Charlie. His suffering is over and your love and care for him provided a peaceful end.
Love to you all,
Kathy
Marita Parthemore
June 5, 2019
Anita, Kelly and Jimmy,
You have all loved Charlie/Dad throughout his challenging times. His pain has ended but his legacy, in each of you, continues.
We will see you on Friday.
Love and prayers for comfort,
Marita and John
Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results
500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, MD 20901
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more