Michael Cosgrove 1953-2024
SALEM — On Saturday morning, July 20, 2024, Michael Cosgrove was taken into the arms of his Lord, Jesus Christ, to his eternal home in Paradise. He fought a long and strenuous battle with cancer, but the time had come for him to rest in peace. He was in the wonderful care of University Hospital Portage Medical Center and had spent the evening before surrounded by his family.
Michael was born Dec. 11, 1953, in Salem, the son of the late Lester J. Cosgrove Sr. and the late Mary Petro Cosgrove. He was a lifetime member of St. Paul Church and former member of the Elks Club.
Michael was a 1972 graduate of Salem High School, where he was remembered for being a standout basketball player.
He had a strong work ethic, even as a very young boy, where he could be found selling Sunday newspapers outside of St. Paul Church every week after Mass. He also spent many years working at the Salem Car Wash, Penn Grille Pizza Shop and Petrucci’s Bar and Restaurant while putting himself through college at Kent Salem and at the main campus to earn his B.S. degree in education.
He was employed as a teacher for 35 years in the Salem City Schools, teaching one year at McKinley in grade five, 31 years at the junior high teaching math and three years at Southeast, doing math inclusion in grade five. No matter where he went, he ran into former students who thanked him for being such a helpful teacher and making math meaningful to them.
When the school day ended or school wasn’t in session, he went to his second job as manager of the Salem branch of V&V Appliance Parts, which he ran for almost 40 years. He was inspired by its founder, his father-in-law, Victor Lazar, and was devoted to serving his customers to the best of his ability. Even after being closed for almost two years due to his health concerns, people still hoped he was going to open again. He also owned and managed several apartments in Salem.
The most important mission in Michael’s life was taking care of his home and family, and he was successful at both. He had enormous love and pride in his children and was thankful to see them leading happy, purposeful lives. His greatest joy was being a papa to his two grandchildren and they will miss him dearly. They were his motivation throughout his health battle and will miss his love and wisdom in the years to come. Above all, he was hard-working, always put others before himself, and was a faithful man of God through every season of his life.
Michael’s survivors include his wife of 43 years, Wendy Lazar Cosgrove; his daughter, Jessica (James) Mastrovito and their children, Hunter and Hadley, of Indian Trail, North Carolina; as well as a son, Joshua Cosgrove of Columbus; sisters, Mary Ann (Ed) Manning and Linda Cosgrove; brother, Gary Cosgrove; and sister-in-law, Connie Cosgrove, all of Salem; and many beloved nieces, nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Joe Cosgrove, in addition to his parents.
The family would like to thank Dr. Austin Fredrickson and his staff at Salem Regional Medical Center, Dr. David Bajor and his staff at University Hospital in Cleveland, and the staff at Portage University Hospital, as well as every doctor, nurse and healthcare worker they met along their journey, for their loving and professional care — and also, the Perry Township EMTs and fire department for their excellent services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Brightside Project, 483 E. Pershing St., Salem, OH 44460, or a donation of money or kindness to someone in need. Please also be sure to have a colonoscopy as recommended, along with any other medical tests routinely suggested. Thank you.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024, at St. Paul Catholic Church.
Friends and family will be received 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, at Stark Memorial.
Visit www.starkmemorial.com to view the obituary or send condolences.
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