Born in Saladillo, Buenos Aires Province, Cóccaro relocated to Tierra del Fuego at age 20 with his brother, with whom he started a construction firm.

[2][4] Cóccaro entered politics in 2003, when he was elected vice-governor under Governor Jorge Colazo of the Radical Civic Union (UCR).

He became acting governor of Tierra del Fuego on 25 October 2005, when Colazo was suspended, and was confirmed in the post on 2 December.

His tenure was marked by its failed support for RENASA, a provincial petroleum concern, and a subsequent impeachment.

Cóccaro ran for reelection in 2007, and won the first round; but he was defeated in the runoff by Fabiana Ríos, the first woman to be elected governor in the history of Argentina.