CARMEL, N.Y. – Charles L. Cosgrove Jr., 77, of McArthur Avenue, Lewiston, died unexpectedly in Carmel, N.Y., Friday, June 11, while visiting family.

Born in Lewiston, April 14, 1927, he was 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 to 1966 as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He was instrumental in organizing 11 towns into one district, SAD #3, and he planned and supervised the construction of Mt. 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. and 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; 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 brother, James Cosgrove.


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