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04/15/2016 03:23 PMBranford bid farewell to Dan Cosgrove this morning with a crowded funeral mass at St. Mary's Church, just one of many local organizations benefiting from Cosgrove's well-known philanthropy.
Cosgrove's mass of Christian Burial was celebrated April 15 at the same Branford church where he was baptized 98 years ago. As one more mark of his generosity, an annuity established by Cosgrove in the 1980's helped St. Mary's put a new roof on the church just last year, the monsignor noted at today's mass.
Connecticut Hospice CEO Rosemary Hurzeler said the very first Hospice in America was constructed in Branford due to the generosity of Cosgrove, who donated the land and wielded his considerable political clout to secure state and federal money. She also noted Cosgrove, together with his son, Mark, helped install a signature "Tree of Life" at Hospice. Cosgrove also later contributed generously to the Short Beach relocation of Connecticut Hospice
"Dr. Cosgrove saw things that others did not. Through his mind's eye, he saw dimensions and clarity so important in the early days, when no one knew what Hospice meant," said Hurzeler. "None of us were fooled into thinking that this elegant and eloquent man was not, in his very spirited but gentle way, leading us. He was a voice that altered and shaped the fabric and strength of our community."
An autodidact, Cosgrove, who passed away April 12, was in his late 80's when he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Albertus Magnus College. Cosgrove's contributions to Albertus are memorialized in the school's namesake Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center. A former boxer, Cosgrove was inducted into the Connecticut Boxing of Fame at the age of 90.
A prominent excavation contractor of more than 60 years, Cosgrove was known for holding forth in the North Main Street garage of his company, Cosgrove Construction, sharing self-taught worldly knowledge with guests who often joked they couldn't get a word in edge-wise.
Hurzeler recalled Cosgrove sealing the deal on the final Hospice public hearing by first directing 300 supporters who turned out not to speak at the hearing. Cosgrove instead spoke on their behalf, quoting Lord Byron's words "...beauty without vanity, strength without (insolence), courage without ferocity," said Hurzeler, adding "...we knew we had won a place to settle down."
Cosgrove was proud of his status as one of Connecticut's political bosses, especially in the 1960's and early 1970's, when Cosgrove's influence at the town and state level equated to one who could get things done.
"He always said politics was a lot of fun for him," said his daughter, Susan Barnes, adding if Cosgrove had been asked what he enjoyed most about it, it would have been meetings in those "smoke-filled rooms."
State Representative Lonnie Reed (D, District 102) was first elected to the post in 2008 and served in Branford as a member of the Representative Town Meeting before then. While she came into local politics well after Cosgrove's hey-day as a political boss, she enjoyed talking with him about his past political conquests.
"He once said some of those keys meetings were in the garage," said Reed. "He'd say, 'Hey, if you want something fixed, bring it over to the garage, we'll work on it.' So it was like that. That was the sense of perspective his whole generation of politicians had -- 'Bring it to us; we'll get it done, stop with the nonsense.' It's really how the old system was."
Cosgrove headed the 12th Senate District's Democratic State Central Committee for two decades. Former District 12 State Senator Ed Meyer well remembers his first meeting with the big boss when Meyer first ran for Senate in 2004.
"I met him and I'll never forget his words," said Meyer. "He said, 'I'm not going to agree with any of your positions, but I'm going to help you,' and he gave me a check for $500. He was very conservative."
Former Branford First Selectman Cheryl Morris said Cosgrove was an inspiration for her not only in politics but in her life. Morris served from 2005-07 and Cosgrove was a supporter.
"Our families were close throughout the years and I always admired him and respected him," said Morris. "There was no better man than Dan. He was an inspiration in many ways."
Back in 1989, dismayed with changes then overtaking the town's Democratic Party, Cosgrove instituted the Taxpayers Party and went on to win the Third Selectman's seat.
"He was totally disgusted with the Democrats," said Barnes. "He said 'I didn't leave them, they left me.'"
Cosgrove's grandson, James B. Cosgrove has since become a prominent Branford Republican, serving first with the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) followed by election to the Third Selectman's seat in 2011 and then back-to-back wins in 2013 and 2015 for the office first of Branford First Selectman, his current elective office.
Cosgrove was also an animal lover who was especially fond of dogs. In addition to having his canine companions with him in his car, at work and at home, he'd often pick up strays and went on to become the inspiration and namesake for the Branford/North Branford Daniel P. Cosgrove Animal Shelter. Cosgrove's son, Dan Cosgrove, shared a few fond memories of his father including the fact that his father was so passionate about rescuing dogs, he'd sometimes pick up people's roaming pets, only to return them when the owners came looking.
On a serious note, Cosgrove said the many stories others have recently shared about his father's life left little more to say with respect to "... the accomplishments, the abilities and the all-around kindness and goodness of my father."
Barnes said her father set an amazing example for herself, Dan and their brother Mark, and later his nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She recalls her father's advice to her, from a very young age, was to "...be a decent person. I expect you to read, and I expect you to do things for others," said Barnes.
Other than the Water Company, Cosgrove once owned more acreage than anyone else in town, said Barnes; and he saw the need for development here. Cosgrove is credited with big changes ranging from ushering in Branford's condominium boom of the 1970's to developing the business parks and industrial parks on the east end of town and the installation of municipal sewers.
"He knew there had to be development, and if you want services, you have to pay for it," said Barnes. "My father was a good, decent, kind and generous man; committed to his faith, his family, his friends, his town and his beloved animals."