Michael Cosgrove 1953-2024 | News, Sports, Jobs

Michael was born on December 11, 1953 in Salem, the son of the late Lester J. Cosgrove, Sr. and the late Mary Petro Cosgrove. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Church and a former member of the Elks Club.

Michael graduated from Salem High School in 1972, where he was known as an outstanding basketball player.

He had a strong work ethic, even as a very young boy, where he sold Sunday papers outside St. Paul Church each week after mass. He also worked for many years at the Salem Car Wash, Penn Grille Pizza Shop, and Petrucci’s Bar and Restaurant while paying his way through college at Kent Salem and on the main campus to earn his BS degree in education.

He taught for 35 years in Salem City Schools, where he taught fifth grade at McKinley for one year, high school math for 31 years, and third grade math inclusion at Southeast for three years. Wherever he went, he would run into alumni who thanked him for being such a helpful teacher and making math meaningful to them.

When the school day was over or school was not in session, he went to his second job as manager of the V&V Appliance Parts location in Salem, which he had run for nearly 40 years. He was inspired by the founder, his father-in-law, Victor Lazar, and was dedicated to serving his customers to the best of his ability. Even after being closed for nearly two years due to health issues, people still hoped he would reopen. He also owned and managed several apartments in Salem.

Michael’s primary mission in life was to provide for his home and family, and he was successful in both. He had immense love and pride for his children and was grateful to see them living happy, purposeful lives. His greatest joy was being a father to his two grandchildren, and they will miss him dearly. They were his motivation during his health struggles and will miss his love and wisdom in the years to come. Above all, he was hardworking, always putting others before himself, and was a faithful man of God in every season of his life.

Michael is survived by his wife of 43 years, Wendy Lazar Cosgrove; his daughter Jessica (James) Mastrovito and their children Hunter and Hadley of Indian Trail, North Carolina; and a son, Joshua Cosgrove of Columbus; his sisters Mary Ann (Ed) Manning and Linda Cosgrove; his brother Gary Cosgrove and his 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, and 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 outstanding service.

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. Also, be sure to have a colonoscopy as recommended, along with any other medical tests routinely suggested. Thank you.

A Christian Mass will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church.

Friends and family will be received from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, July 26, 2024 at Stark Memorial.

To view the obituary or send your condolences, please visit www.starkmemorial.com.

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