Samuel Cokinos

Portsmouth, RI - Samuel Cokinos, 85, of 534 Park Avenue, Portsmouth, RI, died peacefully at home on Saturday, June 6, 2009.Born in Boston, MA on Oct. 14, 1923, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary Karembelos Cokinos and husband of the late Patricia Marcopolous Cokinos.Mr. Cokinos moved from Massachusetts to Rhode Island in 1965. He was a Merchant Marine Veteran and served through World War II and the Korean War. He served in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean Middle East War Zones. He received the Merchant Marine Combat Bar and three battle stars from the War Shipping Administration as a result of World War II. In 1943 the ship he served on was torpedoed. He and several shipmates survived being adrift in the Indian Ocean on a rubber raft for nine days. After serving his country for 18 years in the military, Mr. Cokinos owned and operated Samco Marine for 16 years. His company mainly performed major boiler repairs on all naval ships. Newport Tourism and Development Corporation was originally founded by Mr. Cokinos. Newport Jai-Alai was brought to Newport by him where he maintained position of building superintendent. Mr. Cokinos was a former member of the Middletown Rotary Club. He was also an Associate Member of the Rhode Island State Police Association and attended monthly luncheon since 1969.Mr. Cokinos leaves his long time companion, Mary Lou Mello and her daughter, Susan E. Mello both of Portsmouth, RI. Also surviving are his children James C. Cokinos and his wife Beth of Jupiter, FL, Margo Kemp of Foxboro, MA, Carol Cokinos of Fairfax, CA, Janis Young of Jupiter, FL and Starr Fontaine of San Anselmo, CA. Mr. Cokinos is also survived by his brother George Cokinos and his wife Sophie of Holbrook, MA and a sister Santhy Mallios of Washington, DC. He also leaves eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Lola Cokinos and Portia Cokinos.Calling hours will be held Wednesday, June 10, from 4 -8 pm in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Memorial Service to follow at 8:00pm.Memorial donations may be made to Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Dpt. Rescue Wagon Fund, P.O. Box 806, Portsmouth, RI 02871, or to the Visiting Nurse Services of Newport Bristol Counties, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.