William T. Cokotis

After a courageous battle with cancer, William (Billy) Cokotis Sr., 66, of Springfield, fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, June 24th at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by family.
Born on April 2, 1957 in Springfield, MA, he was eldest son of the late John and Elizabeth Cokotis.
He is survived by his two sons Richard of Ludlow and Billy Jr. of Palmer, his cherished granddaughter Peyton and brothers Peter (Nancy) and Reverend Father Tom (Maria) Cokotis of East Longmeadow. He also leaves behind his aunt and uncle Tina & Harry Jordanoglou of Webster, beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime friends from East Longmeadow along with dear friends Lynda and Janie.
Bill was a 1975 graduate of Classical High School in Springfield, MA and held an Associate’s Degree in Business from Holyoke Community College. He was a longtime member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral and participated in Greek School, Sunday School, served as an Acolyte Captain and played on the church baseball team. During his high school years, he was a proud member of the St. George Olympians Drum & Bugle Corps. Bill served on the parish council at St. Luke in the early years of the parish and when he returned to East Longmeadow, he was an active volunteer at the Taste of Greece fundraiser.
Before moving back to Springfield in 2017 to help care for his mother, Bill’s career as a Restaurant Food Service Sales Consultant brought him to the Madeira Beach, FL area in 1990 where he developed a deep love of the ocean and made long lasting friendships in the Tampa/St. Pete restaurant network. Bill was an avid chef who loved posting pictures of his daily entrees under his “What’s for Dinner” banner for all his FB friends while undergoing cancer treatments. He also loved his road trips to special food destinations to find the best BBQ. Bill also looked forward to his weekly breakfasts at Christo’s Café with his St. George Olympians Alumni friends. His big smile and laughter will be dearly missed.
Bill will lie in state at church at 9:30 AM and funeral services will follow at 11 AM on Wednesday, June 28th at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Luke in East Longmeadow. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Park Cemetery in Springfield, MA where Bill will be laid to rest alongside his parents. Wilbraham Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The family would like to thank Dr. Edison Tsui and the Oncology team at Baystate Medical center for their care these past 2 ½ years. A special thanks to Tanya and the Infusion team at D ’Amour Center for Cancer Care for their incredible attentiveness and compassion, Dr. Njuguna & Dr. Hartnell from Baystate Interventional Radiology, and to Emily and Kristin from the ED team for their kindness in his final hours. Our heartfelt appreciation to Rev. Father Panteleimon Klostri for his pastoral care throughout Bill’s treatments and for his special early morning prayers on June 24th along with Fr. Tom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Bill to St. Luke Philoptochos/Food Outreach, 400 Prospect St, East Longmeadow, MA 01028, Holy Trinity Philoptochos/Food Outreach, 410 Main St, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to a cancer charity of one’s choice.