Joseph Cosgrove Jr., 64, was born October 28, 1957, to Joseph Cosgrove, Sr. and Dolores (Sutter) Cosgrove, the oldest of seven children.
Because of his father’s military career, the family moved often to different Air Force bases. Joe lived his childhood in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine, and Alaska, where he survived the 1964 9.2 earthquake, the largest to ever strike North America.
During his father’s service in Vietnam, the family moved to his mother’s hometown of Coldwater, Ohio, where he attended high school, ran track and cross country, qualifying for the state cross country championships.
Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Georgia for three years. Following his time in the service, he graduated from Rhodes State College where he studied computer science.
In 1984 he met the love of his life, Carol (McClain) Cosgrove, and they married the following year. They have one son, Sam Cosgrove. Joe is also survived by siblings Kathleen Brockman, Paul Cosgrove, John Cosgrove, Rose Hanf and James Cosgrove as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his youngest sister, Mary Cosgrove.
Joe spent most of his career in IT, working for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Warner Cable, Bank One, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, and most recently as a customer service representative for United Health Care.
Joe was always an avid runner and qualified for the Boston marathon in 1992. He loved playing, coaching and watching sports, especially Sam’s. He played softball, soccer, basketball and loved kayaking, bowling and hiking. He was a devoted Cincinnati Bengals fan. Joe was an incredibly loyal family member and friend. He was a kid at heart with a joyful exuberance and loved to make others laugh.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Patches of Light (https://www.patchesoflight.org/donate) in Joe’s memory, an organization that Joe supported where 100% of donations support families of critically ill children.
A memorial service is being planned and will be announced here once arrangements have been made.
McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com.
