Richard Cossaboon

1936 - 2025

Richard "Dick" Walk Cossaboon, 89, of Millville, NJ and for the last 26 years of Palmyra VA, passed away at home in the loving care of his family on Sunday, October 5, 2025. He was the son of Virgiletta Walk and Francis A. Cossaboon.

Dick was a graduate of Millville High School where he played JV basketball as a freshman and sophomore and football from sophomore to senior year in 1954. He earned a full scholarship for football to the New Mexico State College. He was thrilled to play collegiate football but came home soon after the first game. He said college was not for him and he never regretted the decision to come home. He worked with a home builder and learned the trade before joining the National Guard for 8 years, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He joined the Millville Police Department in 1960. Dick became a certified polygrapher, graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and achieved the rank of Division Commander with the Millville Police Department. He married the love of his life, Ellen Noon, in 1961and built a house for them in a new neighborhood of Millville, Edgewood Acres. Dick had a strong work ethic, working 2 jobs for much of his life. He and Ellen enjoyed building projects and home remodeling and often offered to help friends with the same. After retiring from the Police Department he was appointed to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office as the Chief of Investigators in 1985. He also held the position of Chief of the Narcotics Squad for the County.

Dick was an avid duck and deer hunter who hunted locally and travelled to Vermont to hunt with friends. He was a proud member of the "South Millville Gang" with whom he had lifelong friendships, South Jersey Scramblers (1976 President) and Shekinah Chapter of the Masonic Lodge. He was a strong, physically capable man who had a gentle kind way about himself and was emotionally expressive to those he loved. He enjoyed many summers with his family boating, crabbing and fishing at Thompsons Beach and East Point, NJ. He loved family vacations in Topsail Beach North Carolina where family and friends played cards, searched for shark's teeth and had lots of fresh shrimp and laughs. All of Dick's grandchildren have great memories of bowling, going to the movies, playing at the park, golfing, sleepovers at Grammy and Poppy's and Poppy's great scrambled eggs and hash brown breakfasts. He showed his loving kindness as he cared for his wife in the last years of her life as dementia and sickness slowly took her away from him.

He was predeceased by his wife, Ellen and granddaughter, Hannah Grace.

Dick is survived by his sister Kay Ayres (Jim); his son Francis A. Cossaboon (Karen); and his daughter Rebekah K. Cossaboon Black (Thomas), four grandchildren Abigail, Azzie, Sam and Juliya, his great grandson Luke, many nieces and nephews and countless others who were fortunate to have him as a father figure.

Private services will be held for the family and close friends.