Gerald “Jerry” Joseph Cozzi, a longtime resident of Dos Palos, California suddenly passed away on Monday, September 24, 2018. He was 87 years old.
Jerry was born December 27, 1930 in Dos Palos, California, the son of Joseph G. and Rosa (Alberti) Cozzi. He graduated from Dos Palos High School in 1948. Jerry briefly attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before joining the Navy. He served in the US Navy from January 5, 1951 to October 28, 1954. During his service, he received the National Defense Medal in addition to the Navy Occupation Medal. After his honorable discharge from the Navy he married his fianc of two years, Dorothy Ann Sanders on November 20, 1954 in Las Vegas, NV.
He spent the next 25 years farming in the Dos Palos area with Cozzi Bros. Ranch. It wasn’t unusual to see Jerry, along with his brothers Danny and Shorty Cozzi, all riding in the front seat of a pickup late afternoon heading to have coffee at the Y Auction Yard. Jerry belonged to the Dos Palos Y Service Club, the Dos Palos American Legion, and was a Dos Palos volunteer fireman.
His family was by far his first priority and he was loved and admired by all. He was known to be an excellent cook and loved family gatherings. He was proud of his Italian heritage which was evidenced through both his homemade pasta sauce and Italian vocabulary lessons, which coincidentally mostly were centered on food and eating. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family who will continue to cherish his memory.
Jerry is survived by his wife Dorothy Ann Cozzi of 63 years from Dos Palos who describes her husband as “very affectionate, loving, hardworking and took pride in his yard.” She shares she lost her best friend. They were rarely seen apart.
Survived by his daughters: Debbie Cozzi McClarty (husband Harold) from Reedley, CA; Diana Lee Cozzi from San Luis Obispo, CA; grandchildren: Jonathan McClarty (wife Sarah) of Kingsburg; Chelsea McClarty Ketelsen (husband Drew) of Kingsburg; Tony Joseph May (son of Diana Cozzi) of San Luis Obispo; great grandchildren: Reed and Kieran McClarty, children of Jonathan and Sarah McClarty; Lyla and Zach Ketelsen, children of Chelsea and Drew Ketelsen.
Jerry Cozzi, the youngest of nine children was preceded in death by siblings; Frank Cozzi, Amelia Cozzi
Gilardi, Tony Cozzi, Danny Cozzi, William (Shorty) Cozzi, Violet Rose Cozzi Tosta Clinton, Bobby Cozzi and Alveda Cozzi Parreira.