Resilient, respected and accomplished, Don Cosgrove was a man for all seasons. His regular breakfasts with the Romeo group gave little hint of the achievements and adversity experienced during Don Cosgrove's 86 years. As evidenced by the group's name, all the members of the Retired Old Men Eating Out group took their friendships more seriously than they took themselves. From the start, it was clear that Don Cosgrove was a man for all seasons, mixing athletics and academics in equal measure. One of five children of William C. and Henrietta Cosgrove, Don attended Cincinnati's Purcell High School where he lettered in three sports and was voted all-city football receiver, Senior Class President, and graduated top of his class. Don served in the Army during WWII as a member of the First Cavalry Division. He was stationed in the Philippines and later was present in the Bay of Tokyo on Sept 2, 1945 as the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was being signed. He was awarded the Army Commendation Ribbon by General William Chase of the First Cavalry Division for his "outstanding performance of duty." After the war, Don returned home to earn three degrees including a doctorate in Industrial Psychology from The Ohio State University. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Dayton, he met Pauline Kelley. He graduated in 1951 and in September 1953 Don and Pauline were married. The couple had three daughters: Kelley Anne, Sheilah (James Boland) and Erin (John Harte.) By 1960, Don had accepted a position at The Proctor and Gamble Company where he stayed for 12 years working in Human Resources. In 1961, Don lost his wife Pauline to Hodgkin's disease. A single parent raising three young children, Don married Jacqueline Mahoney in 1962 and had three more children: Courtney (Charles Muse), J. Bartley (Megan Shanahan) and Bryan. It was during the 1960's that the father of six made a major career shift to academia, joining the faculty at Xavier University where he taught behavioral and organizational psychology. As demanding of his students as he was of himself, Don was widely hailed as one of the best by students and faculty over his 31-year tenure. Upon retirement from the university and his private sector consulting work, Don and Jacquie traveled extensively until her unexpected death in 2007. Despite the loss of his wife of 45 years, Don remained mentally and physically active. A voracious reader and prolific writer, he created several volumes of family memoirs for his children and grandchildren. He was a regular at the gym working with his trainer and friend, Kim, and never missed a home Xavier University basketball game. He kept his social calendar full with trips to museums, the symphony, the Metallic Club, and monthly lunches with his fellow Purcell alums. Don's life came full circle during the past year when he reconnected with his dear friend from high school, Ruth Kenkel to whom he proposed just two weeks before passing peacefully at home in his sleep. Ever the optimist, he had recently marveled to a family friend at his good fortune to have three such remarkable women love him. Along with his six children, Don is survived by his brother William, sister Rosemary (John Baele), and nine grandchildren. A celebration of Don's life will be held at the Xavier University's Cintas Center, 1624 Herald Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45207, on Friday evening, June 1 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. All are welcome. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, June 2 at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 7754 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. Interment following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the tuition assistance program at Purcell Marian High School. Please make checks payable to Purcell Marian High School, 2935 Hackberry St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Please include Don's name on the memo line.

Service

Friday, June 1, 2012 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cintas Center 1624 Herald Avenue Cincinnati 45207, United States

Service

Saturday, June 2, 2012 10:00 AM St. Vincent Ferrer Church 7754 Montgomery Road Cincinnati 45236, United States