In Memoriam

George Constantine Commandaros AR'51

George Constantine Commandaros AR'51, 98 of El Dorado Hills, CA (formerly of Pittsburgh, PA) died peacefully surrounded by his family on October 29, 2022.

Al Wasserman CE'52

Al Wasserman CE'52 died at the age of 92 under a blood moon in Oakland on Nov. 7. He was surrounded by his wife, Ann, and his three children, Steve, Rena and Sherry.

Dr. Albert "Sonny" Vaillant ME'53

 Dr. Albert "Sonny" Vaillant ME'53 , 91, of Woodbury passed away November 13, 2022.

Joseph V. Pucciarelli A'49

Staten Island native, created engineering firm, grandfather Joseph Vincent Pucciarelli A'49 of Oceanport, NJ, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2022. He lived a very full life of 92 years.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.