Daniel Cosgrove

Daniel Cosgrove, 82, of Springfield, passed away on February 14, 2019. Dan was born August 29, 1936, on a chicken farm in Vineland, NJ, to James Cosgrove and Anne Boyle, immigrants from Scotland and Ireland, respectively. His father organized Best Foods in Bayonne, NJ, and when James died, it was noted in a remembrance that "the hope of the world lies in more like him." Although Dan was only 12 at the time, he fulfilled that hope by following in his fathers footsteps. Dan helped support his family by delivering milk before school and delivering groceries after school. After receiving a BA degree from St. Johns College in Annapolis, MD, he served as an Army specialist. Dan went on to join the labor movement, among other jobs (including driving a Ballantine beer truck in New York City). He worked for the Illinois AFL-CIO for 23 years, much of that time as education director. In that role, Dan helped retrain workers who had lost their jobs, providing them with critical skills to help find new jobs. Dan enjoyed big band music, foreign travel, carpentry, working in stained glass, and pursuing a good burger. He loved his daughters (Margaret DePhillips of Lombard, IL, and Mo Sullivan of Overland Park, KS), and most of all his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann. He also leaves behind his sister, Sister Peggy Cosgrove, MSBT; and four grandchildren, Miranda, Miles, Daniel and Catherine, all of whom he loved dearly and enjoyed thoroughly. Dan was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Tom and Jimmy; and two sisters, Terry and Nancy. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield. The visitation will end with a prayer service. Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 22, 2019, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.