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GOARCH - June 30, 1998
OFFICIAL NEWS

Archdiocese Recipient of Two Million Dollar Bequest from Coclin Estate

New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, has gratefully acknowledged a bequest to the Archdiocese of major gifts totaling nearly two million dollars from the Estate of Aristomenes D.Coclin of Bridgeport,CT.

Specifically, they are: $1,245,818.66 to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (deposited in a special account subject to provisions of the Archdiocesan Council); $611,583.71 to Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology (Brookline,MA), as an unrestricted gift, and $135,907.49 to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church,Bridgeport.

Aristomenes (Ari) D.Coclin, prominent businessman, noted philanthropist and devoted churchman, passed away at the age of 82, on August 11, 1983. President and founder of the Coclin Tobacco Corp., Coclin was born in St. Peter, Greece and immigrated to Bridgeport in the 1940s. Actively involved, with his wife Evangeline, for over 40 years in Holy Trinity Church and the Archdiocese, he was bestowed the title of Megas Deputatos by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras for his service to the Church. He served as regional commander of the Order of St. Andrew and as a member of the Executive Committee.

He was recognized as a great benefactor and philanthropist of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Holy Cross School of Theology, Holy Trinity Church and was a distinguished member of the League of Greek Orthodox Stewards (LOGOS). A Life member of the University of Bridgeport Board of Associates, Coclin initiated the first Greek Scholarship Fund at UB. He also supported a chair on the Bridgeport Symphony, was a donor to area hospitals and local charitable organizations and was honored for his generosity and devotion to Bridgeport institutions by Governor Ella T. Grasso, who named him a Twentieth Century Pilgrim,an honor documented in the state's American Revolution Bicentennial Book of 1976.

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  June 30, 1998 ]