We have 8 applicants and are meeting with the committee to review them. Awards to be announced soon.

Leo and Mary Ann Coceano lived in Medford, NJ for 40 years and were devoted parishioners at Saint Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church. Prior to moving to Medford, they resided in Willingboro, NJ for 16 years and were parishioners at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. 

Leo was born In Tarcento, Italy and immigrated to the United States in 1939 at the age of 6, settling in Farmington, WV.  He attended West Virginia University before graduating from Fairmont State University with a bachelor'sdegree in Mechanical Engineering.  Later, he earned a master’s degree in Education from Glassboro State University.  He graduated from Navy Air Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, FL, becoming a Navy pilot in 1956, serving 4 years on Active Duty followed by 16 years in the Navy Reserve as a pilot in VR-52, NAS Willow Grove, PA.  He taught High School Chemistry for 35 years in the Riverside and Maple Shade Public Schools districts. He was the varsity Baseball Coach while at Riverside High School and the varsity Golf coach while at Maple Shade High School.
Leo was a member of the New Jersey Education Association, the Knights of Columbus, and a volunteer for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Additionally, he was a Eucharistic Minister at Saint Mary of the Lakes. He enjoyed golfing, working in his yard, and participating in volunteer work.


Mary Ann was born and raised in Fairmont, WV, graduated from Fairmont West High School and then from Fairmont State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She taught elementary school for 26 years in the Willingboro Public Schools district and was awarded Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the 1990-91 school year while at Garfield East Elementary School. Mary Ann was a member of the New Jersey Education Association, the Willingboro Retired Teachers Association, and a volunteer for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society for 20 years. Additionally, she was a Reader and Eucharistic Minister at Saint Mary of the Lakes. She enjoyed reading and participating in volunteer work.

Spending a combined 51 years as teachers, education was a top priority for Leo and Mary Ann.  They understood the importance of a K-12 education and the advantages of continuing education through a University or Community College. The opportunity to financially assist others in the pursuit of their educational goals was a dream of theirs.  That dream is made possible through the annual Knights of Columbus Council 6520 scholarship in their name.