Obituary of Irene T Kocak

Kocak, Irene T. Binghamton: Irene T. Kocak died Thursday, September 6, 2012, at her home. She was predeceased by her parents, Paul M. and Agnes V. Kocak. Her father was a Cleveland, OH businessman who established himself in Binghamton in a number of businesses. Surviving are several cousins and a number of dear friends. Irene earned a BA with high honors from Nazareth College of Rochester. She received the honor of giving the annual prestigious address at the Thomistic Symposium to college assemblage. In addition, she represented the college at the National Federation of Catholic Colleges in Washington, DC. An MA was earned from the University of Scranton. An additional 60 Graduate Credits also were acquired. Irene was Past President of Lourdes Hospital Auxiliary and a volunteer in its gift shop. She was an Auxiliary Director of the Central NY Division of HANYS, Past Regent of the Catholic Daughters of America, Binghamton #237, Vice President of Syracuse Diocese Past Regents, a Past Officer of AARP, Binghamton Chapter #3071, and Curriculum Coordinator for local central school district and Past President of its Faculty Association. Irene was a Faculty Member of Americanization Classes at Binghamton High School, Life Member of NYSRTA, and Past President of SO. Zone. She was an Officer of Broome County Republican Women's Club and State Member, Member of Broome County Historical Society and Roberson Museum and Volunteer. She was also a member of Lyceum and S. C. Falcon. Irene was a longtime supporter of: TCO, BC Pops, Binghamton Symphony (now Binghamton Philharmonics), Binghamton Youth Symphony, and the Glimmerglass opera. She belonged to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Binghamton, where she served as Cantor, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Educational Director of RENEW Program and Confirmation teacher. Irene was a perpetual scholar who was creative (a poet), compassionate and thoughtful, and whose personality and vitality touched others. She had a quick-witted sense of humor. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Highland Avenue, Binghamton, Monday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Slovak Catholic Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Irene may be made to the charity of one's choice . Arrangements are by the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton.