Willard H. Cobb Jr.

Dear Barry, Rosemary and family,

I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Bill and Inez were two of my favorite people during our years at Grace Church. He was truly a special person -- caring, thoughtful and encouraging. I enjoyed reconnecting with him during my days working at Neighborhood House. Please know that you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Barry,
We are thinking of you, Rosemary and your two wonderful sons at this difficult time. Oh how we loved both your parents. Your mother so elegant and bright. Your father so welcoming, loving, and strong with a heart of gold. What a terrific couple. You were so fortunate to have them both and now they are together in heaven smiling down on the four of you. Your father always shared his faith with me which is why I share it now. I trust that the wonderful memories you share will sustain you along with the Love of Christ as you go forth in this world. There is no greater gift to have than a great father and Barry you certainly had the best. We will all miss him. I can feel his great big arms around me giving me a hug whenever I would see him. My parents so loved both of yours. They had so much fun together and shared so much love. They were such supportive friends and such a tribute to what it means to be kind and unselfish. May you always know you have our love and support - Chris, Jane and Annie Hogan

Dear Barry -
Mike and I were so sorry to learn of your Dad's death. He was such a kind man and always made us feel so welcome whenever we saw him.

Please know that you, Rosemary and your sons are in our thoughts during this difficult time. We hope the wonderful memories you have of your Dad are a comfort to you now. Janie Hogan also sends her love.

Fondly,

Annie and Mike Gallagher

Sending my condolences.

I write to express deepest sympathies of the Werner Brown family, in particular his six children Steve, Peggie, Matt, Alice, Richard and me. All of us grew up knowing Bill, and our hearts go out to Barry and his family.

Bill was one of our Dad's very dearest friends going back at least 60 years after Bill was invited to join a close-knit social group of Duke graduates in Wilmington who had known each other at Duke before moving to Wilmington where the group members became and remained best of friends for life. Bill was the only man invited to join this group who was not a Duke alum, giving testimony to the great affection and respect the entire group had for him. More recently, Bill often visited or called to check on our Dad in Dad's declining years when Bill's loyalty had special meaning and impact. It is as touching to us as it is ironic that Bill passed away just one day after our Dad -- when Bill's tender attentions were no longer needed to give comfort to Dad. We will never forget all that Bill did for our Dad -- and all that Inez did prior to her passing. Soon after the death in 1986 of our Mom, who had been good friends of Bill and Inez also, they introduced our Dad to their good friend, Isabella Tarumianz, who had recently been widowed herself. That introduction sparked a romance resulting in a second marriage for both Isabella and our Dad, followed by many wonderful years together that included a number of happy get-togethers with their treasured friends and match-makers, Bill and Inez.

Bill was one of the finest and kindest men I have ever known. He was large in stature and in heart and did not have a whit of pretense or a selfish bone in his body. There will be a large crowd behind St. Peter to welcome Bill with cheers at the gate, and I can guarantee that our Dad will be pushing his way to the front row.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Cobb. He and Mrs Cobb were fine and decent people. May God grant them eternal peace.