NORTHAMPTON- With hundreds turning out to pay their respects, the longtime representative of Northampton in the Massachusetts state legislature, Rep. Peter Kocot, was laid to rest on Tuesday.
Kocot, 61, died last week after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife Shauneen and sons Jake, of Boston, and Luke, of Northampton. Kocot, a Democrat known for his integrity and quiet strength, had been a member of the state Legislature since 2002 representing the 1st Hampshire District.
Upon the news of Kocot's passing, he was remembered fondly by his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives & Senate.
Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who both attended the service, said in a statement that Kocot "was tirelessly committed to representing the constituents and issues of his district and all of Massachusetts."
"Our administration was proud to work with Rep. Kocot on many important topics and his thoughtful approach to public service will be missed," Baker and Polito said. "Our thoughts are with his wife and sons."
Calling hours for Kocot were scheduled Monday at the Czelusniak Funeral Home while funeral services were Tuesday morning at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church on King Street in Northampton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Peter Kocot Scholarship Fund (Dollars for Scholars), the Cooley-Dickinson Cancer Center or Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst.
Staff writer Shira Schoenberg contributed to this report.