Brookline Rallies To Support Fired Trader Joe’s Employee

NEWTON, MA — A well-known 77-year-old Trader Joe’s employee was fired after she sold beer to a family member who was not yet 21. Now, with no job and no way to support herself amid the pandemic, the community is rallying to help support her.

Once the fundraiser went online, people rallied. In three days, more than 350 people have donated more than $36,000 via the online fundraising platform GoFundMe.

"A simple serious mistake has left [Gloria Cocuzzo] 'sick' and 'about to shatter' and without hope," Deanna Miller, who organized the fundraiser, wrote.

Who is she?

If you've been to Trader Joe's within the past 16 years, it's likely that you have seen Cocuzzo flitting around the store, welcoming people. If you're a mother with children, the chances of an interaction go up exponentially.

"She fussed over our children as they grew, while always paying us that uplifting compliment that makes one’s day," wrote Miller.

Then, on the same day she raced back to the store with a broken rib to get back to work after getting vaccinated, Cocuzzo had a "terrible lapse in judgement," Miller said.

"Gloria reportedly sold a six-pack of beer to a family member who was a few months short of their 21st Birthday," she said.

It was something Cocuzzo quickly regretted.

"She feels worse about it than any one of us can begin to imagine," Miller said. "After a harrowing call to the manager’s office and three sleepless nights of waiting, Gloria Cocuzzo was fired."

It gutted her. Miller described the former employee as deeply ashamed.

But the GoFundMe page is as full of messages of support as it is of monetary support.

"Without a doubt, Gloria is to Brookline what Jimmy Stewart's character George Baily was to Bedford Falls," wrote Brian Riordan.

A poster going by "Jackie F." said she understood that the grocery store was liable, but felt Trader Joe's overreacted.

"Gloria MADE Trader Joe's. I always tried and find her when I was in the store to say hello. One time after a wonderful conversation, she gave my twin sister and I flowers...she's a sweetheart," she wrote. "Where's the loyalty to a devoted employee? "

Celene Hale remembered that Cocuzzo organized fundraisers during her time at the grocery store.

"Your glorious LIGHT, lifts everyone you encounter," she wrote. "More days than I could count, you were the person who gave a hard day, sun. You organized a fundraiser for a young boy with a brain tumor and his family, after just meeting them at Trader Joes. Who does that ?!!! "

When someone brought the violation to the attention of the Brookline Select Board, Chair Bernard Greene said Cocuzzo had always been very kind to him and his son.

"She’s just an absolutely wonderful person," Greene said. "That’s the view of anyone who has encountered her at Trader Joe's."

A Trader Joe's spokesperson declined to comment on the company's internal discipline policy in for employees who sell alcohol to minors.

In Brookline, a business's license to sell alcohol comes into question when an employee sells to a minor. It generally reflects on the licensee. Those businesses who sell to underage are usually asked to come to a license violation hearing to determine a remedy or if a sanction is necessary. The business may face a fine. Repeated offenders can have their licenses revoked.

It's illegal in Massachusetts to give alcohol to anyone under 21 who isn't a family member, at your home. If you're under 21 it's illegal to buy alcohol, and carries a fine of up to $300.

GoFundMe is a Patch partner. You can find the fundraiser for Gloria here.