Brethren,

On behalf of the Secretary of Glanogwr Lodge, No 8508 (W.Bro. Mark Cornelius), I bring you the very sad news of the passing, to the Grand Lodge Above, of one of the most active, popular, generous, respected, charitable and well liked Masons in South Wales, W.Bro. Sabatino Cocco, better known to one and all as Gino.

The service at the crematorium will be available online. You can access the broadcast by going to www.wesleymedia.co.uk Click on "Webcasts"; enter the Order ID of 52529; and the password which is awkpemfg

Of Italian origin, Gino, by sheer hard work and enterprise, built the successful business of Llanharan Concrete over many years. All our thoughts and prayers will be with his family at this very sad time.

Initiated in Bridgend's Glanogwr Lodge, No 8508, in November 1986, Gino was Installed into the chair of KS of that Lodge in March 1996 followed in rapid succession by Masterships of Yr Efail Lodge No 9502 in November 1997; Lancastrian Lodge No 2528 in October 1998; and Trisant Lodge No 4154 in December 2000. In the Provincial Grand Lodge of South Wales Gino was first appointed PPrJGD in 2002; promoted to PPrGReg in 2008 and finally promoted to PPrSGW in 2011.

In Royal Arch Masonry, Gino was Exalted in Glanogwr Chapter No 8508 in 1992 and took the First Principal's chair there in 2006. He subsequently served as Charity Steward in that Chapter for over a decade. In the Provincial Grand Chapter of South Wales he was first appointed 1st Provincial Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2010 and promoted to PPrGSwdB in 2015.

Gino was active in many, many other Masonic Orders where some (but almost certainly not all) of his attainments included:

Worshipful Master of St Illtyd Mark Lodge No 784, in 1999 and in the Mark PGL he held the rank of PPrGSW; 

Commander of St Illtyd Royal Ark Mariners Lodge No 784, in 2000 and subsequently appointed to ProvRAMGR.

Most Puissant Sovereign of Talygarn Conclave No 307 in the Red Cross of Constantine, in 2010 and subsequently appointed PDivGPrefect

Worshipful Master of Principality Council No 53 in the Allied Masonic Degrees, in 2009 and subsequently appointed DistGStB.

Gino had been unwell in recent months suffering a few age related ailments but most notably recurring chest infections for which he had been hospitalised. Sadly Gino also contracted Covid-19 but was at home in Llansannor at the time of his sad passing on 7th October.

Gino is survived by his dear wife Audrey who, I understand, is resident at Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court in Porthcawl. He has a large family but one who will be most known to us all is his son W.Bro. Nicholas Cocco, PPrJGW. We send our deepest condolences to them and the entire family.