Richard R. Cosgrove

Richard Cosgrove was born in 1931 in Maspeth Queens to Irish immigrant parents Edward and Frances. He was the last living brother of John , Francis and Sheila. Richard passed away Tuesday, October 31 after succumbing to complications from a stroke he had in May.
Married at a young age to Natalie Carrion they had four children, Kenneth (deceased, 1971 )Deborah (m. Caryn), Suzanne, and John (m. Laura.)Kenneth was challenged with having a severe case of cerebral palsy, but lived at home until his death at 18 from pneumonia. It was Richard and Natalie’s decision to care for Kenneth at home despite social and medical pressure to commit him to Willowbrook Hospital. This was a good decision to not listen to bad advice as witnessed when Geraldo Rivera had his ground and career breaking story about the horrors of Willowbrook Hospital that launched the same year that Kenneth passed away . Richard and Natalie together saw a burgeoning opportunity to start a business supporting operators of executive aircraft. In 1964 with a small loan from their parents they started Cosgrove Aircraft Service and 60 years later the company is still going strong.
Richard tried flying himself but he decided that family and running the business was more important and he was safer if he hired a professional to do the flying. He owned a few aircraft over the years: a Beech 18, that he donated to an African mission , a Queen air, an Aero Commander 690B and most recently a Cessna 172 that he decided to donate to Samaritans Purse. He enjoyed sitting in the back or in the right seat and was very enthusiastic to take a ride or travel to various points around the country to grow his business. He met many interesting people in the industry. For example, the Shah of Iran’s private pilot, Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, and many others who are not famous, but had incredible stories to tell. Richard was always willing to help people and answer any questions even if in the long run, it would prove to be in competition with his own business. It is his generous nature and interest in others that made Richard a special person. He loved to hear and tell a good story, and he enjoyed throwing good parties where people could talk drink and make merry. In past years, you might find a helicopter or hot air balloon that would take you for a ride just to make things interesting.
He loved the Mets and the Islanders and enjoyed going to games as often as he could.
Richard loved his country, his friends, his company, but mostly his family : his nephews and cousins, his children (Deborah, Suzanne, John and his wife Laura) and grandchildren who are Carson, Sawyer, Christina, Olivia and Jake will miss him dearly. He had a loving caretaker, Sucely and her family Josselyn, Eddie, a new son Brian, who will also miss Richard. His loyal and steadfast employees today and through the years were especially important to Richard. He was fondly known as “Mr C. “
The family is grateful to all those who cared for Richard even in his final days. At the Smithtown Center For Rehabilitation, Richard met new friends who were either residents at the center or caretakers there. The family is most grateful to all who have expressed interest in Richard. May he rest in peace and may all those who knew him remember him well, and know that he loved you too.