John Kokell

John Kokell, 78, of Stuart, Florida, formerly of Morris NY, passed away peacefully at his daughter's home in Centerville, GA on Sunday, December 4, 2016. He was born in Bell Harbor, New York on June 16, 1938 to John J. Kokell and Florentine (Shannon) Kokell. He was the oldest of
13 children. In his early years, he resided in Rockaway Beach, New York until the family relocated to East Northport, LI, New York.

John was a U.S. Air Force Veteran after high school, serving in Japan. He earned his degree in business administration from Adelphi University in 1971. On the day of his college graduation John, with his first his wife, Joy (Stellmach) Bond, and their 5 children moved to the Butternut Valley, in upstate New York. He resided in Morris for over 30 years and loved raising his family there. He was employed in the financial and accounting fields for over 60 years working at several companies including IBM and American Can. As an accountant, he supplemented his income by doing income taxes for friends and neighbors.

In 1987, he married Mary Anderson, of West Point, Pennsylvania. John loved sports of all kinds, playing
football while in the Air Force and then playing on a local softball team, and his children learned to love sports as well. He was devoted to his children and showered them with much love and attention. It was not uncommon for John and Mary to have a car full of kids heading off to a ball game, NYC , Darien Lake, camping or some other adventure. His love of sports and travel took him to two Winter Olympics, a Super Bowl, The Final Four, and the 76ers basketball finals. He traveled to Ireland, Normandy, Germany and Newfoundland as well as 44 United states.

Before his retirement from American Can Co., John became an active referee and umpire in soccer, basketball, football, baseball and softball. He was a member of the Tri Valley chapter for 25 years, including refereeing nearly 1000 games at Cooperstown Dreams Park. John was preceded in death by his son John Patrick who died in 1986; both his parents, his brother Gerard Kokell, sister Elizabeth (Kokell) Harley and nephew John Harley.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughter, Kathleen Kokell (Victor Grayer) of Centerville, Georgia, son, James Kokell (Sherri Smith) of Cooperstown, New York, daughter, Kristine Kokell( Ron Royal) of Duluth, Georgia, daughter, Karen Kokell Foos of Auburn, New York; and stepson, Thomas Cash (Jessica) of Falls Church, Virginia. He loved and enjoyed six granddaughters and two grandsons, Tracy and Sarah Kokell, Maya and Alayna Foos, Teanna Smith, Holli Erkson, and Morgan and Bailey Cash. He is also survived by his sisters, Deana Schliesser, Mary Ann Kokell (Pat), Cathy Muller (Craig), and Regina LaFaso (Phil); and his brothers, Billy (Lillian), Joe, Toddy, Tommy (Cindi), Tony, and Michael (Stephen) Kokell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was a devout Catholic and will be remembered by his parish family of St Andrews's RC Church in Stuart, Florida.

Calling hours will be at the Johnston Funeral Home, 60 Broad Street, Morris, NY on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 4pm to 7pm. A celebratory Mass will be held at Holy Cross RC Church, 43 Main St. Morris, NY on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 9:30 am followed by burial at Hillington Cemetery in Morris, NY where he will rest eternally with his son, Johnny.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington VA 22202 or https://donations.diabetes.org.

Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088