Thomas Edward Cosgrove

Thomas Edward Cosgrove passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at the age of 96, surrounded by his loving family. Son of Edward and Helen Cosgrove, he was born and raised in Paterson, NJ. At the age of 16, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard-Merchant Marines and served in World War II, traveling throughout Europe, bringing back troops from North Africa and ~600 Jewish refugees. He was awarded the Merchant Marine Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Bars. Following the war, he continued to serve in the Coast Guard until 1948. 

Tom worked in the HVAC business, getting his start at Shotmeyer Bros delivering fuel and learning the trade of servicing/installing boilers and oil burners. He started his own HVAC business and later worked for Monsen Engineering, where he worked his way up to service manager. In 1969, he moved his family to San Diego, California, where he continued his career, retiring at A.O. Reed & Co in Commercial Mechanical Equipment Startup.

Preceded in death by his wife of ~70 years Caroline, daughters Kathleen and Rosemary, and siblings Edward Jr., Regina, Grace, Helen, Mary, and James. He is survived by his six children, Thomas (Irma) Cosgrove, Chris (Kathy) Cosgrove, Ellen (Evans) Johnson, Mark Cosgrove, Lisa (Mark) Cummings, and Carol (Kevin) Trotter, eleven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. 

Visitation is on Friday, February 14th, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Featheringill Mortuary Chapel, 6322 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. 

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 15th, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Chapel, 4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego. 

Celebration of Life reception luncheon following mass/burial on Saturday, February 15th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Francis Chapel (California Room, downstairs:  elevator to left available), 10818 San Diego Mission Rd, San Diego

Navigate to St. Francis Chapel, not street address (sends you to Mission Basilica entrance). Pass Booth Hill Rd, look for paved driveway “Buses and Deliveries” (no street name) - see link below

https://maps.app.goo.gl/JbvWMaYx5hTYCRsm7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy