(1933-2004)

Father Cocco was born on February 6, 1933 in San Maurizio Canavese “a large farming settlement near Ciriè, Leini and Caselle.” It is often mentioned in Allamano’s letters. In May 1895 the local chaplain, don Pavesio Bartolomeo wrote to the “Very Illustrious and Reverend Lord Canon” that he had knelt next to Don Cafasso and was filled with wonder at Cafasso’s gaze fixed on the Blessed Sacrament. On September 8, 1923, Msgr. Bernardo Marengo of San Maurizio, Domestic Prelate, sent greetings to Allamano who was about to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination. Anniversary greetings also came from a former IMC postulant of Ceretta di San Maurizio who signed herself, “the most negligent, gluttonous and least virtuous” of postulants (Cf. C. Bona, Lettere, passim). These brief references demonstrate the link between San Maurizio and the Institute. The “large farming settlement” enjoyed good relations with the Institute and its missionaries in Italy and Africa. This was certainly the case when the young Franco Ernesto Cocco came to the seminary at Varallo Sesia after finishing his studies at the Aristide Gabelli elementary school in Turin. Between 1944 and 1949 he was in high school at Varallo and Vittorio Veneto. On October 7, 1953 he made his profession as a Consolata Missionary and then studied philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary in Turin. On March 14, 1959 he was ordained to the priesthood by Msgr. Bottino, the Auxiliary Bishop of Turin.

Missionary in Kenya
After studying English in London he arrived in the diocese of Nyeri in Kenya where combined teaching with pastoral ministry in the neighboring missions. He began his missionary work in a changing world – the country was taking its first steps towards democracy and had just declared its independence. The local church that our missionaries founded joined in celebrating the dawn of a new day – Father Franco Cocco was the Master of Ceremonies on that occasion and he performed this task with his habitual care. As part of the transition the seminary was given to the local clergy and Father Franco began working in the missions of Kaheti, Karatina and Ichagaki. He was especially devoted to the high school and its young students.

Pastor in Canada
In 1970 he left Kenya for the parish of St. John Bosco in Canada. He wrote to his superiors in Turin to tell them that he liked his new assignment. “I have every intention of doing my best to adapt to Canadian society for at least two or three years.” Father Ermenegildo Crespi wrote: “Father Franco studied the Marriage Encounter movement for a while and then devoted all his energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and resources as a man and a priest to this movement. He studied its methods and practiced them successfully with hundreds of young couples. He plunged into the charismatic renewal movement with the same energy and enthusiasm. Many joined him in going beyond the initial enthusiasm to reach a genuine understanding of their Christian vocation.”
After three years in the parishes of St. John Bosco and the Consolata in Montreal he worked in parishes in Windsor and London, Ontario (1970-1984).
He returned to work in Italy briefly and then went back to Toronto and Montreal to work in mission promotion (1988-1996) and Marriage Encounter – for which he was especially gifted. He managed to approach people and groups with simplicity and friendliness.
Father Crespi wrote once more: “Father Franco greets everyone with his unfailing smile – he is sensitive, concerned and attentive to all. He listens closely and offers wise and practical advice. He is sustained by the Word of God and the Eucharist. He meditates in silence with school children and the whole community.” Father Franco was conscious of his own shyness and was hesitant to improvise in his teaching or preaching. This insecurity probably dated back to the time his father – Luigi – was deported to Germany and never returned. His mother raised her children single-handed. His time in Canada was coming to an end and his diabetes was becoming more serious.
In 1996 he had a chance to return to Kenya and engage in missionary work. But conditions in the country had changed and he met with unforeseen difficulties. His superior wrote to tell him “you might find a doctor in Nairobi who could recommend a specialist in case of emergency.” But his health deteriorated and he was called back to Italy where he spent his last years at the Mother House in Turin doing pastoral work and waiting for the day that was surely coming. He died on January 29, 2004 and his body was laid to rest in Turin Cemetery
Giovanni Tebaldi