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Henry Robert Cosgriff passed away peacefully at his home on May 15th, 2014, with his family by his side. Henry was born in Waterbury, CT, on October 8, 1941, to parents Henry and Mary Cosgriff and lived his childhood in the Lithuanian Brooklyn section of Waterbury. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Quinnipiac College, and Duquesne University.
Upon graduation and student teaching in New Haven, Henry embarked on a 20-year career as a teacher and administrator with the Department of Defense school system. He started his career in Iceland. He married his beloved wife Susan on June 26th, 1971, and they immediately moved to the Azores. Subsequent stops with their daughter Karla included Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Eleuthera (The Bahamas), and England.
Upon returning to the United States in the late 1980s, Henry finished his career as a science teacher at the Torrington Middle School. He was a voracious reader of newspapers and history books, especially about the two world wars. He talked frequently about all of his travels around Europe and how proud he was to be a member of the British National Trust, visiting almost every property they managed. He was a collector of antique clocks but was also keen on discovering the latest technology. Henry always loved a party, from organizing events with his Sacred Heart reunion class to welcoming Karla’s friends—he was always there with a smile, a hug, food, and libations!
His daughter Karla was truly the apple of his eye. While Karla was in college in Washington, DC, he made several trips to visit her and enjoyed learning more about history. In his retirement Henry enjoyed fishing and road trips to see friends and family, especially his grandchildren in New Jersey who loved climbing all over him. He faithfully watched baseball and UCONN games, and was absolutely devoted to his dogs.
He is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Karla of Lawrenceville NJ, and twin grandchildren, Hazel and Whit. Other family survivors include his great Aunt Valerie Povalitis and several cousins from his mother’s large Lithuanian family. He was predeceased by a daughter Andrea.
The family is grateful for all the support they have received from family and friends and the excellent care from Dr. Kruger and the staff at the Smilow Cancer Center.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in to the Torrington Soup Kitchen or Friendly Hands. Condolences may be sent to the Cosgriff family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com https://www.cookfuneralhomect.com/notices/Henry-Cosgriff
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