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Edgar J. (Ed) Cosgrove, a lifelong “Dubuquer”, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 18, 2016 at the age of 90. Ed battled melanoma & Guillain-Barre Syndrome over the last years of his life.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Saturday January, 23, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, with Father Gabriel Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery where Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion, Post 6 of Dubuque. Friends may call from 2 – 7 p.m., Friday, January 22 at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road and from 9 – 10 a.m., Saturday at the funeral home. A wake service will begin at 6:30 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.

Ed was born on December 12, 1925, son of Alice Bennett Cosgrove and Vincent Cosgrove. Ed attended St. Patrick's and Nativity grade schools. He was a graduate of Loras Academy.

He joined the Army as a 17 year old teenager and was honorably discharged as a mature man. Ed served in France and Germany during W.W. II, attaining the rank of sergeant. He served with the 70th Infantry Division, landed in Marseille, France in December 1944, and saw action in Phillipsbourg, Saarbrucken, and through the Siegfried line. He ended his service as part of the occupational forces in Frankfurt, Germany.

Ed was very proud of serving his country in the U.S. Army, and in his later years, felt more at ease sharing some of his “near death experiences” that he and many other servicemen endured during the war, with his family and friends. He was honored and moved to participate in the very first Honor Flight from Dubuque.

Ed worked at John Deere Dubuque Works in Dubuque as a purchasing agent, supervisor/buyer, and production controller, retiring in 1982 after 34 years of service.

Ed married Elizabeth (Betty) Wickham in 1948. To this union, was born Michael J Cosgrove & Mark A. Cosgrove. Ed & Betty were married for almost 23 years until Betty preceded him in death in 1971. Ed married Rose Marie Meier Farrey, in 1973, blending two families. They celebrated 42 years of marriage in October.

Ed was a true avid outdoorsman. Some of his favorite pursuits were fishing, hunting, golfing, and traveling throughout the United States. Ed & Rose enjoyed several cruises, especially their Alaska Land & Water Cruise. Their trip to Europe in 2005 was a highlight of their travels together.

Many weekends found Ed & Rose on their pontoon boat on the Mississippi River. Ed would be fishing while Rose would be enjoying the sun. Following his favorite sport teams - The Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings - was another favorite past time. Ed also found contentment grilling on the deck for Rose, his children and grandchildren while sipping "a good Manhattan”. The family Christmas Eve celebration will always be remembered as "the BIG ONE!"

Ed was a very loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He was the family "go –to person" for solid advice and "Mr. Fix –It!" Dad's values and integrity will always influence and inspire us. We have all been fortunate to have him at the helm of our family.

Those left to cherish his memory includes his spouse, Rose Cosgrove; children, Michael (Connie) Cosgrove of Dubuque, Mark (Sara) Cosgrove of Cedar Rapids; Ramona (Bill) Vincent of Galena, IL, Renee Farrey of Dubuque, Rod (Janet) Farrey of Dubuque, Robyn (Allen Brown) Farrey of Bellingham, WA; grandchildren, Benjamin, (Amy) Cosgrove, Lara (Alex) Fowler, Patrick Cosgrove, Ryan (Kate) Cosgrove, Brandon (Amber) Stadel, Barret Stadel, Matthew (fiancée Maddie Sadecky) Farrey, David Farrey, Greg Farrey, Michael Farrey; and great grandchildren, Allegra Cosgrove and Lydia Fowler. Ed is also survived by his sister, Rosemary (Bruce) Moorhead of Port Angeles, WA; sisters-in-Law: Ruth Williams, Shirley (Larry) Bowden; and brothers-in-law, William (Paula) Meier and Greg (Sue) Meier.

Preceding Ed in death was his mother, Alice Gala, father, Vincent Cosgrove; step-father, Dominic Gala; sister-in-law, Arlene Meier Hayek; and uncle & special friend, Burton Bennett.

For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.

A Edgar Cosgrove memorial fund has been established.

Ed & Rose wish to thank their children and grandchildren for all their love and support throughout their marriage and especially now through Ed's illness. The family especially appreciates the care and concern of Ed's Hospice nurse, Melanie, and additional Hospice care givers, especially Heather and Angela, Dr. Caceres & his nurse, Jackie, and our special family nurse, Janet Farrey.

"May joy be with you while you stay …May peace be with you on your way."