Msgr. Roscoe Roy Cosby Jr.

COSBY, Msgr. Roscoe Roy Jr., went to be with the Lord on February 18, 2024. He is preceded into heaven by his parents, Roscoe Roy Cosby, Sr. and Ida LaFratta Cosby; brothers, Clifton Bernard Cosby, James Reginald Cosby, Lynwood Anthony Cosby, Algar Hubert Cosby, Andrew Howard Cosby; sisters, Ida Madeline Cosby, Evelyn Linda Jackson, Sr. Lucille Ardelle Cosby SCN, and Angeline Genevieve Davis. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Elizabeth Cosby; his faithful canine companion, Matt; close friends, Wes and Pam Morgan; as well as many nieces and nephews including Elizabeth Chimento (John), all of whom will miss him incredibly in their lives.

An alumnus of John Marshall High School, in Richmond, VA, he was originally a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1944, but pursued his true vocation in the priesthood, after earning his degree from St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore in 1954, and thereafter being ordained by Bishop Peter L. Ireton in Richmond, VA on May 8, 1954. After his ordination, Msgr. Cosby served as an associate of the Diocesan Mission Band for two years; and associate pastor of Holy Cross Church in Lynchburg (1956-60); and Blessed Sacrament Church in Norfolk (1960-62).

From 1962 to 1967, he taught at St. John Vianney Seminary in Richmond while serving in various churches. He was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Church in Columbia in 1967 and transferred to St. Francis Church in Staunton the following year. In 1970, Msgr. Cosby became the founding pastor of Holy Family Church in Dale City, where he served for eight years. He became pastor of St. Timothy Church in Chantilly in 1978 and founding pastor of St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg in 1983. Beginning in 1990, he held various positions in the chancery, including vicar general while serving as pastor of St. James Church in Falls Church starting in 1994, the same year he was named monsignor. He formally retired in 1999, but served as administrator and priest in residence at St. William of York Church in Stafford (2001-02).

After retirement, he returned to the family farm in Rockville, VA, where he became closely involved with his neighbors, the Sisters of the Visitation at the Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary Monte Maria serving as chaplain for many decades. He was truly a gentle, kind and humble man, whose sole desire was to do good works for others and to serve the Lord faithfully.

His remains will lie in repose from 3 p.m., Thursday, February 22 at the Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary Monte Maria, 12221 Beinvenue Road, Rockville, VA, 23146. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m., Friday, February 23, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 823 Cathedral Place, Richmond, VA 23220. Interment to follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Please consider a donation in his memory to Sisters of the Visitation, 12221 Beinvenue Road, Rockville, VA 23146.