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Northampton State Rep Laid To Rest

February 27, 2018

Peter Kocot, 61, died Friday, February 22 after a brief battle with cancer.

A Democrat, Kocot represented the 1st Hampshire District, which includes Northampton, in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2002 until he died. He had served as an aide to his predecessor for about 20 years before that.

Kocot as a candidate got endorsements from NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, which supports legal abortion. He also received high marks from the Massachusetts Audubon Society and Gun Owners’ Action League.

One of his three proudest accomplishments was supporting same-sex marriage in the 2004 constitutional convention, according to his obituary. The other two were ethics reform and increasing transparency in government.

His funeral Mass drew more than 400 people to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Northampton on Tuesday morning, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

“Peter was a giant,” said Father Christopher Malatesta, co-vicar of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, who celebrated the funeral Mass, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) delivered “an impassioned eulogy,” according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

“Peter brought honor to everything he did,” DeLeo said.