LEWISTON – Charles L. Cosgrove Jr., 77, of McArthur Ave., Lewiston, died unexpectedly in Carmel, N.Y., June 11, 2004, while visiting family. He was born April 14, 1927, in Lewiston, the son of Charles and Sarah Manning Cosgrove. A graduate of Lewiston High School, he graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1951, and in 1954 he received his masters degree in education. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy. He devoted his career to education while serving from 1951-1966 as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He was instrumental in organizing 11 towns into one district, SAD No. 3, and he planned and supervised the construction of Mount View High School in Thorndike. He joined SRA Associates, a division of IBM, in 1966, and was recognized by many school districts as a leading authority in educational testing. He retired in 1992. A long time member of St. Joseph’s Parish, he served as a lector, past president of the Parish Council, on the St. Joseph’s School Board, the Board of Directors of Mount Hope Cemetery, and was a founding member and treasurer of the LHS Alumni Association. On June 23, 1951, he married Aline R. Bussiere, his loving wife of 52 years. He spent his retirement traveling with his wife and enjoying his 15 grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of Lewiston; three sons, Charles III and wife, Colette Cosgrove, of Great Falls, Va., Thomas and wife, Paula Cosgrove, of Langhorne, Pa., Stephen and wife, Gina Cosgrove, of Clifton Park, N.Y.; two daughters, Patricia and husband, Robert Serafin, of Carmel, N.Y., and Sarah and husband, Russell Larsen, of Iowa City, Iowa; one sister, Margaret A. Fox of Manchester, N.H.; 15 grandchildren, Robert, Katherine, Allison and Julia Serafin, Riley and Griffin Cosgrove, Susan, Kelley, Kimberly, and Sarah Cosgrove, Elizabeth and Peter Larsen, and Matthew, Andrew, and Kaitlyn Cosgrove. He was predeceased by his brother, James Cosgrove. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Joseph’s Church. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be 1-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. Donations may be made in his memory to LHS Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, Lewiston High School, 156 East Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240. Albert & Burpee Funeral Home. <
CHARLES L. COSGROVE JR.
