Louis Nicholas Coccia, 77, was called home to Jesus on December 15, 2023 at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, surrounded by his three adoring daughters.
He was born in Rochester, New York on November 18, 1946 to Justin and Emily Coccia. He was a graduate of Edgewood Senior High School in Ashtabula, Ohio and the University of Toledo in 1971. During Lou’s childhood years, he lived in Germany, Austria, Fort Bragg, and Baltimore as an expat. He played college baseball for the University of Toledo, and then began a five-season professional minor league career playing catcher for the Orioles and Yankee farm systems from 1967-1971. He also served in the US Army National Guard during this time. Following his baseball career, Lou worked in the banking, real estate, and tech industries. He owned an appraisal business for many years while living in Ashtabula. His career brought him to Rock Hill in 1988, and he eventually retired from the York County Library.
His love for his beloved wife Debbie, of 46 years, was something fairy tales are made of. He truly adored her and looked at her with the eyes of young love every day of those 46 years. A tough man on the outside, he was a gentle teddy bear on the inside and visibly melted for his three daughters and grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa Lou.”
He loved his dog Ozzie, and especially enjoyed taking him on golf cart rides to Westminster Park. Lou’s quick wit and unmatched sense of humor always kept his family and friends in stitches. The man was truly a hoot. He enjoyed boating, fishing, and camping, and most especially, music. He sang, played guitar, bass, and keys, and could learn just about any song by ear. He had a music studio in his house and spent countless hours writing, playing, and recording music with his brother-in-law Mark Smith. “Mark and Lou” were the best kept secret of 80’s pop music.
Preceded in death by his wife Debbie, Lou is survived by his brothers Gus and Dennis, daughters Erin (Brian) Hamel of Rock Hill, Allison Coccia of Hummelstown, PA and Amy (Jon) Mahon of Fort Mill, and grandchildren Maddie and Nathan (Hamel) and Drake (Mahon). Services will be at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731.