…Retired Cambridge Police Officer; 69
MASHPEE, MA – Joseph Anthony Cozza, age 69, formerly of Tewksbury, a leader and participant of several Fraternal and Veteran’s organizations, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 19, at the Bourne Manor Rehabilitation Center surrounded by loving family. He was the beloved husband of Mary Anne (Crowley) Cozza, with whom he had celebrated a thirty-six wedding anniversary this past July 30.
Joe was born in Cambridge, one of four children of the late Vito and Louise (Pizzuto) Cozza, and raised in Cambridge. After High School he enlisted into the U.S. Army and served honorably during the Vietnam War. Joe was highly decorated, having earned the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Air Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with bronze service star and silver service star, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and Expert badge. He was honorably discharged in 1976.
He joined the Cambridge Police Department, and retired after twenty five years of service to the city. He remained faithful to his fellow soldiers as past Commander of the Mt. Auburn Memorial Cambridge V.F.W., Post 8818, and founding member of the Somerville Vietnam Veterans Organization. Joe was also a devout Catholic layman, a communicant of St. William's Church in Tewksbury and Christ the King Church in Mashpee, served as Past Grand Knight of the Fr. Coppen’s Council Knights of Columbus in Tewksbury, and a Fourth Degree member of the Bishop Delaney, Greater Lowell Assembly, Knights of Columbus.
Besides his wife, he leaves four children, Andrea K. Cox and her husband Matthew of Waitsfield, VT, Shannon E. Newcomb and her husband Tommy of Ashburnham, MA, Joseph A. Cozza Jr., and his wife Melissa (Koussa) of Dayville, CT, and Christina L. Cozza and her significant other, Kevin Chambers of Nashua, NH; eight grandchildren, Kathryn, Julia, and Caroline Cox of VT, Ashley and Alex True of Ashburnham, Hannah, Joseph, and Jacob Cozza all of CT; two sisters, Carmella Zarrella and her husband Arthur of No. Reading, and Victoria Hastey and her husband Walter of No. Weymouth; many nieces and nephews; and was predeceased by his brother, Vito F. Cozza Jr.
Joe will perhaps most be remembered for his incredible generosity of spirit and kindness to others. He fought for his country at a young age and then spent the rest of his life loyally supporting fellow veterans. His sense of humor and lighthearted joking colored many interactions with family and friends. When he witnessed suffering or need, he would do whatever he could to lend a hand, whether in his capacity as police officer, as an organizer of special fundraisers and events for his Cambridge, Somerville and Tewksbury communities, or though simple acts of kindness toward friends and strangers alike. His fierce sense of family devotion was something he instilled in his own children and grandchildren.
Visiting hours Friday, Feb. 21, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His funeral will begin Saturday, Feb. 22, at 10:30 from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Burial will be Monday in the National Cemetery at Cape Cod.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, , 3 International Drive, Suite 200 Rye Brook, NY 10573 or www.lls.org are encouraged. visit: tewksburyfuneralhome.com