NEWPORT – Sidney Cookson, 79, died July 14, 2007, at a Pittsfield hos-pital after a long battle with can-cer. He was born May 1, 1928, in Newport, the son of Ernest and Edna Crozier Cookson. He was educated in Newport schools and a graduate of Newport High School, Class of 1946. Sidney was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He married Frances DeBeck, June 17, 1950, in Newport. For 40 years Sidney was employed as vice president of production at Rowland Inc., a plastics plant in Rockyhill, Conn. He was a member of the American Legion in Connecticut. Sidney loved working with wood, both building things for his family and friends and also refinishing furniture. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Frances M. Cookson of Newport; one son, and his wife, Ronald K. and Louise Cookson of Levittown Pa.; four daughters, Brenda and her husband, James O’Brien Sr., of Wallingford Conn., Catherine and her husband, Ray Franzoni, of Pittsfield, Jo-Ann Cookson of Meriden, Conn., and Su-Anne and her husband, Scott Cole, of Livermore Falls; two sisters, Margaret Mitchell of Meriden, Conn., and Mildred Bragg of Palmyra; 11 grandchildren, James O’Brien Jr. and his wife, Annie, Christopher O’Brien, Sarah and her husband, Rick Sawyer, Katrina and her husband, Dan Coutier, Matthew Franzoni and fianc?e, Katie Frost, Audra Cole, Eric Cole, Scotty Cole, Ashley Cookson, Amber Cookson and Austin Cookson; six great-grand-children, Alex, Jessie, and William O’Brien, William and Patrick Sawyer and Colby Coutier; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a son, Barry Wayne; a granddaughter, Helen Francine Cole; a sister, Marion Bogan; and two brothers, Ira Cookson and Earl Cookson. A family visitation will be held 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, 34 High St., Newport. Funeral ser-vices will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at High Street Congregational Church with Pastor Al Worden officiating. After cremation, burial will be in the family lot at Riverside Cemetery, Newport. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Newport Community Food Bank, 26 High St., Newport. To sign an online guest book and leave written tributes please visit, www.philipbrownfuneralhome.com
SIDNEY COOKSON
