“I have been thinking many years about should I or shouldn't I make a tribute or thought to a good and fun friend Jim Cocconi, so hear it goes.  When walking to Borel, I would meet up with Jim and Steve Kratch at Jim’s house and continue talking and walking.  Since I lived the farthest I would have thought of many things to talk about but never had time to spout them out simply do to the distance of 200 or 300 yards to the gates of school.  Jim was always a concerned person, wanting to learn about new things, picking his guitar on the bed waiting patiently for me.  Probably his patience is why he became a Spanish teacher later on in life. I still miss him even though his passing has been some time but I know he is in a better place.  Take care my friend.”             Harry Bobbit       

October 29, 1946 ‑ November 18, 2007

Rich died peacefully surrounded by his loving wife, Valerie, of 31 years, and daughters, Marissa and Andrea on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 in Burlingame due to complications of neurosarcoidosis.

He was forever optimistic and courageous.

Beloved son of the late Marino and Josephine Mazzoncini and son‑in‑law of Eyda and the late Ernest Giachetti. Dear brother of Maureen Cox (Bill) and Barbara Maniscalco (Paul); brother‑in‑law of Dr. Ernie Giachetti (Marcia) and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He leaves behind extended families, D'Angelo, Mazzoncinj ' Tassan and Giachetti and many lifelong friends.

Rich, affectionately known as Mazz to his friends, colleagues and students will always be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor and the twinkle in his eyes. In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, back-packing in the Sierras every summer, fishing and, most of all, spending time with his family,

Rich attended local schools and graduated from Aragon High School, He first attended CSM transferring to Cal State Hayward, graduating in 1964. received his secondary teaching credential from College of Notre Dame in 1971 and began his career at Ralston Middle School. In 1974 he began his high school teaching career at Capuchino High School. He transferred to Hillsdale High School in 1980 where he remained until his 2006 retirement, While at Hillsdale, he wore many hats ‑ special resource and general education teacher, dean of students, var­sity football and baseball coach, athletic director, and assistant vice principal, As a committed educator and coach he in­fluenced the lives of hundreds of young people.

... Funeral Mass was cele­brated on Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 10am at the church. Private interment at St. John's Cemetery in San Mateo.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rich's memory may be made to Mills Peninsula Hospital Foundation, 1501 Trousdale Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010 or to Olde Knights Scholarship Fund (Hillsdale High School) c/o Keith Gordon, 2600 All View Way, Belmont, CA 94002.

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