William "Buddy" Cosgrove

1929 - 2022

William "Buddy" Joseph Cosgrove was born on March 18, 1929, in South Scranton. He was the son of the late William J. and Mary L. Cosgrove, and brother to the late Mary Jean Cleary, Joan Williams, and Peggy Sillner, all of Scranton. He died peacefully April 8, 2022, surrounded by his family.

As a child, Buddy attended Nativity School in South Scranton until the age of 10 when he and his sisters sadly lost both their parents. As an orphan, Buddy was sent to live with his uncle, Father John White, in Hazleton. He spent the following year at St. Gabriel's School in Hazleton before moving back to South Scranton where he attended Pistoria School on Pittston Avenue.

Having faced a great deal of adversity in his early years, Buddy realized that the most important thing in a person's life is family. This early lesson was reflected throughout his life by constantly surrounding himself with his large, close-knit family.

In 1955, Buddy married the late Joan Cosgrove (formerly Healey) also of Scranton, who sadly passed away in 2015. Together they were the proud parents of nine children and 16 grandchildren.

Buddy enjoyed a long and distinguished career serving our country in the military. In 1947, he enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard 109th Division. One year later in 1948, he enlisted in the Army, serving honorably as part of the Allied occupation forces in Europe. With a desire to continue serving his country, Buddy re-enlisted in 1950 and served stateside during the Korean War in New York City as a supply records specialist. He went on to receive a Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953 with a rank of master sergeant. He spent the next five years as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, completing his military career in 1958.

Buddy transitioned out of the military and into a role as a plumbing apprentice with T.J. O'Hora Plumbing Company in Scranton, where he spent the next six years. During that time, he became involved in the construction of St. Pius the X Seminary. He then served as the Seminary's building supervisor through 1968. From there, he moved on to the Scranton Sewer Authority where he worked from 1968 to 1970.

In 1970, Buddy ventured out on his own, establishing a hardware store and plumbing business that he called North End Plumbing located on Court Street in Scranton. However, things changed for Buddy again in June of 1972 when Hurricane Agnes caused major damage to the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton areas. Rather than sit back and observe, Buddy viewed the flood as an opportunity to help others in need during the cleanup. He put his plumbing skills and experience to work throughout the recovery period. From that time in the early '70s, North End Plumbing started to grow and continues to grow today. Buddy attributed the success of his business to the flood. Even though Buddy retired decades ago, and handed the business over to his sons, he continued to go to "the Shop" every day, arriving by 8:30 a.m. right up until the week of his death.

Outside of work, Buddy had many passions, including but not limited to his family, all things Irish, politics and Scranton. In the late 1950s, when Sen. John F. Kennedy announced his run for president, Buddy sprang into action and established the "Church Avenue Citizens for Kennedy." Over the last six decades, he proudly held onto the correspondence exchanged with President Kennedy during that time.

Always a fervent voter, in 2012 Buddy was recognized by the Pennsylvania Voters Hall of Fame for voting in 50 consecutive elections. He was an active member of the Democratic Committee in Scranton and served as ward chairman for many years.

Buddy has traveled to Ireland multiple times and was a longtime member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. In 2013, Buddy was honored by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County and received the President's Award. He was also active in the St. Patrick's Parade Committee and never missed a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Scranton since it began in 1961.

Since 1983, he was an active member of the North Scranton Rotary and was also involved in the following organizations: surviving member of the Amadan Club, life member of the Knights of Columbus Council 280 Scranton, life member of the Disabled American Veterans DAV, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Catholic War Veterans and the Ancient Order of the Hibernians in America.

Buddy was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, his sisters, and his son-in-law, Frank Laboranti. Buddy is survived by his nine children, Mary Beth Dane and her husband, Mike Dane of Chester Springs, Patricia Laboranti, William Cosgrove and his wife, Denise, Kelly Hamm and her husband, Dr. Fran Hamm, Joan Boino, Kathleen Fritch and her husband, John Fritch, Peggy Cosgrove, Karen Snyder and her husband, Jack Snyder, and Patrick Cosgrove and his wife, Mollie Cosgrove, all of Scranton. He is also survived by his 16 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Katie, Joseph, Michael, Joe, Emily, Billy, Ryan, Abby, Mari, Patrick, Jack, Charlie, Kelsie, Jimmy and Danny. He will be greatly missed.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge St., Dunmore, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Mary Mother of God Church, 316 William St., Scranton. Entombment, Cathedral Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. All those attending the funeral are asked to proceed directly to the church on Wednesday morning.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mary Mother of God Parish at Holy Rosary, 316 Williams St., Scranton, PA 18508.