John G. Cocolin

John G. Cocolin December 3, 1920 - May 3, 2007 Mr. John G. Cocolin, 86, of State College, passed away Thursday, May 3, 2007, at his residence. Mr. Cocolin was born in Osceola Mills Dec. 3, 1920, a son of the late Gregory and Mary (Junakis) Cocolin. On April 5, 1942, John married Helen Rischel; she preceded him in death March 28, 1989. He was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ Meadville, and while living in State College was a member of State College Presbyterian Church. For over 50 years, John was well-known for his many restaurant ventures. Starting his career in the restaurant business dates back to March 15, 1948, when he opened up the former Campus Cove with his brother, Art Cocolin, which they operated until 1955. He is well-remembered for owning and operating Johnnie's Drive-In from 1957 to 1975 and the College Grill from 1961 until 1988. Moving to State College nine years ago, John pursued a lifelong dream of operating his own hot-dog stand. He ran his hot-dog stand outside the Corner Room restaurant, which was located right across from the main entrance to Penn State. Over the years, John became known as "Johnnie the Hot Dog Guy." He was a veteran of World War II in the U.S. Army, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. John's community involvement over the years included president of the Meadville Basketball Booster Club for 10 years; being appointed a charter member of the Meadville Area Recreation Authority by Meadville City Council in 1971; and a member of the Sertoma Club, where he chaired the Jimmy Moore fund for about 25 years. For 27 years he organized and oversaw the Election Day Sauerkraut Dinner held at Emmanuel United Church of Christ and for 12 years served as disaster chairman of the Meadville Chapter of the American Red Cross. John is survived by a son, John G. Cocolin and his wife Lisa, of State College; two daughters, Vickie Evans and her husband, Gregory, of Atlanta and Carla Chisholm and her husband, William, of Meadville; nine grandchildren, Kim, Kelly, Seth, Pari, Gregor, Ashley, Erin, Brock and BreAnn; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Ann Cogley and her husband, Robert, of Clarion; three brothers, Thomas Cocolin, of Indiana, Art Cocolin and his wife, Jean, of Meadville and George Cocolin, of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife of 46 years, John was preceded in death by three brothers, Gus, Ted and Steve Cocolin. Family and friends are invited to call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2007, at Byham-Miller-Mizner Funeral Home Inc., 404 Chesntut St., Meadville and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2007, at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Park Ave., Meadville. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, at the church, with Dr. Rev. Timothy M. Solomon, Pastor of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, officiating. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 2007 at Grace Lutheran Church, Beaver Ave., State College. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 12:15 p.m. until the time of the memorial service. Interment will take place at Greendale Cemetery, Meadville. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society Unit, 123 S. Parks St. State College, PA 16801 or Meadville Area Recreation Complex, 800 Thurston Road, Meadville, PA 16335.