EVERETT – Tears welled up in Debbie Wajda’s eyes as she looked at pictures of a man she had never met.
On the projector screen, Dr. George Cozzetto kept beaming a big smile in almost every picture.
Cozzetto was a courageous and caring medical doctor who touched many people’s lives and hearts. That’s what Wadja, 37, of Mukilteo learned from her husband, also a doctor, and others.
“I definitely wish I had a chance to meet him and get to know him socially and hear his laughing that everybody is talking about,” Wadja said.
About 300 people ranging from children to senior citizens gathered Saturday afternoon at the New Life Center in Everett to mourn and celebrate the life of Cozzetto, who was known for his contribution and dedication to Everett’s emergency medical system.
Cozzetto, 55, died Oct. 23 after battling multiple sclerosis for 25 years. The specific cause of death was not known, Cozzetto’s wife, Sand,y, said earlier.
With Cozzetto’s initiative, Everett’s emergency medical system started with four paramedics in 1982 and has since grown and responded to more than 200,000 calls for help.
“He did it because he cared for others,” said Dennis Niva, chaplain for Marysville’s fire and police departments, who read the eulogy. Ralph Blevins grew up with Cozzetto in Endicott, a small Eastern Washington town of about 300 people. Cozzetto was the one who Blevins and other students counted on for answers to questions in classes such as chemistry and algebra, Blevins said.
“We knew where George was,” he said.
Dr. Tony Roon, who formerly worked as trauma director at Providence Everett Medical Center, worked with Cozzetto when Cozzetto was an emergency room physician, and later when he took over as medical program director for Snohomish County Emergency Medical Services.
“George was a delightful man and an excellent physician concerned about the health of the community,” Roon said in an interview.
Cozzetto worked to ensure that local citizens had access to emergency services and trauma care, Roon said.
“George will be sorely missed in our community,” he said. “All I can say is his contribution to this community can hardly be replaced.”
Reporter Sharon Salyer contributed to this report.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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