Dr. John De Cosmo

De COSMO, Dr. John Baptiste II 80, died July 26, 2009, at home after a valiant one year battle with Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsey. Born in Ellwood City, PA, on Oct. 31, 1928 and raised in Brooklyn, NY, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brooklyn College. A graduate of Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO, Dr. De Cosmo served a rotating internship at Dallas Osteopathic Hospital, Dallas, TX and established his practice of medicine in St. Petersburg in 1958. He loved his profession with a passion surpassed only by his love of his family. In 1963, he was instrumental in organizing physicians and founding Metropolitan General Hospital in Pinellas Park, then St. Petersburg Osteopathic Hospital; and was President and Chairman of the Board of West Coast Laboratories, Inc. Dr. De Cosmo also served on the Board of Directors of Harborside Hospital as well as on the staffs of University General Hospital and Women's Hospital & Medical Center, both in Seminole, and St. Anthony's Hospital, Humana Hospital and Northside Hospital/Heart Institute all in St. Petersburg. Dr. De Cosmo was Board Certified in Family/General Practice. He was a past member of the Board of Governors of the Pinellas County Psychiatric Society and received his degree in Psychology at the University of South Florida. Dr. De Cosmo was past president and member of the Board of Trustees of the Pinellas County Osteopathic Medical Society to the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association and served on their seminar, legislative and publications committees. He was a member in good standing of the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice and American Osteopathic Association. Dr. De Cosmo was a member of the American Heart Association Suncoast Chapter, and served on their Board of Directors and Committee for Community Service for 20 years. From 1998 to 1999, Dr. De Cosmo served as Medical Director of "Correctional Medical Services" overseeing all medical & psychiatric care providers and records for all three of the Hillsborough County Correctional Facilities Systems. He devoted time to teaching lay people in the Dominican Republic, setting up a pharmacy and reviving a forsaken hospital in the town of Peralta (Dominican Republic) through Saint Raphael Catholic Church. He and his family were blessed with wonderful caregivers; Dr. Donald Simmler, Jeannie and Patsey of Suncoast Hospice, Audrey, Alfonzo and Beth among all others. "Johnny" is survived by and was deeply devoted to his wife, Judith Marshall-De Cosmo and his loving family; six of his seven children and spouses; Courtney Marshall De Cosmo, Maria (Mark) Campbell, Christopher (Margie) De Cosmo, Valerie (Kenny) Baxendell, Gregory (Lori) De Cosmo, Dr. John B. (Oseanna) De Cosmo III, and his eleven beloved grandchildren Nicole, Mitchell, Lauren, Keith, Alivia, Amelia, Spencer, Alexander, Gianna, Rex and Zachary. John was predeceased by his daughter Elizabeth (Duke) Marcucci. He also is survived by his brother Emile (Laura) De Cosmo of St. Petersburg and sister Lucille (Joseph) Masella of Manassas, VA, and a large extended family both in the U.S. and Italy. He leaves a legacy of love, dignity, wisdom, and strength to them all. His greatest mission was to plant Christian roots in our Family's Souls. We shall miss him now and always. To honor John's life of love and service, a viewing and Vigil Service will be celebrated at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, 2201-Dr. M.L. King St. No., from 4-7 pm on Thursday, July 30, 2009. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Raphael Catholic Church by Fr. Thomas Spillett at 11 am on Friday, July 31, 2009, with Rite of Committal following Mass. Entombment will be private for family only at Sunnyside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to St. Raphael School, the Pinellas County Osteopathic Medical Society, or Suncoast Hospice. On-line Guestbook @ www.AndersonMcQueen.com.