Al Coglianese

Albert Coglianese (March 17, 1941 — Oct. 12, 2015) was was the husband of Marci Coglianese who had been the Chapter Liaison Chair of the PBK board in 2010-2012. Al and Marci were faithful attendees at Asilomar for over 20 years. We hope she will continue to attend.

Albert Joseph Coglianese, of Rio Vista, passed away peacefully at dawn on Oct. 12, 2015, at NorthBay Medical Center, Fairfield, California, from complications from treatment of gastric cancer. He was 74 years old.

Al was born on St. Patrick’s Day in 1941, at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. He was the oldest of six children born to Albert B. Coglianese and Catherine Sauer Coglianese.

Al was educated at Chicago-area Catholic schools. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Illinois Benedictine University (formerly St. Procopius College) and his master’s degree at Loyola University of Chicago. He also held California Community College and Secondary Life Teaching credentials.

He was a born teacher of English literature, language, writing, poetry and drama. A fateful encounter with Rio Vista High School Principal Charles Hale at Cal’s teacher placement office brought him to Rio Vista, where he began what would become a 35-year teaching career.

Al was known to generations of local high school students as “Mr. Cogs” or “Cog.” They loved his creative approach to analyzing poetry that started with taking apart the lyrics of students’ favorite songs to find the meaning hidden inside.

After retiring, Al helped direct plays with a local community theater group, mentored grade school kids, wrote poetry and his memoirs and edited the writing of friends and former students. He loved road trips, especially those to the national parks, Route 66 and spring training. 

Memorial contributions may be made to “No Small Things Productions,” c/o Janey Callahan of Rio Vista, or to the Rio Vista High School Drama Program, c/o Donni Surla.