Bernard James Kosakowski

KOSAKOWSKI, Bernard James, 79, of Richmond, formerly of Bedford, N.Y., passed away Saturday, August 30, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Kosakowski; children, Bernard J. Kosakowski Jr. and wife, Claudia, of Mamaroneck, N.Y., Cheryl Ann Kosakowski, Thomas Kosakowski, and Kevin Kosakowski of Richmond; grandchild, Monica Maria Kosakowski; sisters, Victoria and Emilie Kosakowski, both of Bedford, N.Y., and Rosemarie August and husband, Richard, of New City, N.Y.; brother, Frank Kosakowski and wife, Jean, of Monroe, Conn.; and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mr. Kosakowski served in the U.S. Army. He graduated from the University of Vermont, and was a Director of Minority Business Development for Philip Morris U.S.A., where he retired in 1993. Bernie and his family are extremely proud of his professional and community service including: President, Richmond Chapter, American Management Society; Chairman, Richmond Public Schools Education Advisory Council and Vocational and Adult Education Advisory Council; Chairman, Virginia Department of Education Business Education Advisory Council; Chairman, Virginia Regional Minority Supplier Development Council; Committee Chairman, National Minority Supplier Development Council; Co-chairman, Virginia Business Opportunity Fair; President, Huguenot Little League; Cub Scout master; Chairman, St. Benedict Parish Council. Awards for distinguished service: Richmond Public Schools Council for Vocational and Adult Education, Virginia Business Education Association, and Virginia Junior Academy of Science. Business Person of the Year, FBLA and Phi Beta Lambda. Visitation and short prayer service for family and friends Tuesday, September 2, at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral mass Saturday, September 6, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bedford, N.Y., with interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, Greenwich, Conn. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VCU Massey Cancer Center - Dalton Oncology Clinic, P.O. Box 980214, Richmond, Va. 23298, or to St. Benedict Catholic Church, 206 N. Belmont Ave., Richmond, Va. 23221.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.