Passed away February 22, 2021 in Litchfield Park, Arizona
He was born on August 20, 1938 in Butte, Montana
A great and kind man was called back into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. Mr. Harold Cossette Jr. passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in the care and presence of many of his family members. We his children, will be forever grateful to be there for his greatest journey in life.
Harold was born in Butte, Montana back when men were men. Butte was a rough town to be raised in, in the 30’s. He made his way to southern California with a short stint in Nebraska. Early on he was nicknamed ‘Punk’, which badge he wore proudly. He was in no way a bully, but if you treated him or others around him badly, he would step in to correct that sort of bad behavior from others. Although Punk was tough, he was also kind and had a heart of gold.
During his youth he had the pleasure of being educated in a military school in southern California. This helped to shape his outlook on life. It also taught him independence and discipline. A physical condition prevented him from following in his father’s footsteps in proudly serving in the military. His father courageously sacrificed his all while fighting for this country in Okinawa Japan during WWII.
In his father’s absence Punk became the man of the house. He was raised with a brood of fun loving, sometimes mischievous brothers who sought out excitement and entertainment and were always the life of any social gatherings. He started the first Brother’s Mud Wrestling Match in Red Cloud Nebraska. After what took place, it was also the last.
He helped to instill good work ethics into his younger siblings while providing payment to them for chores like ironing his clothing. He began his culinary arts skills by cooking his famous fried egg sandwiches, famous for one brother anyway.
Leading by example and teaching his family to work hard, care for one another and to always be a friend came natural to him. Excitement came anytime a fire engine could be heard. Punk’s rabbit like hearing could locate the direction of a siren and off him and his brothers would go chasing after it to see the firemen in action.
Halloween was always a fun time for the brothers as trick-or-treat meant tricks AND treats. Many tricks were played in the neighborhood I am sure, but their end game was a bag full of treats.
His culinary skills were refined further when Punk entered the workforce and landed a job as a teenager at Jack’s Steak House in Los Angeles. However, the stars were not in alignment and when he was asked to stay on and help manage a 2nd location, he declined as he thought it would never catch on.
Well, unfortunately it did and morphed into the Sizzler steak house. As Maxwell Smart would say while holding his forefinger and thumb close together, “Missed it by That Much”.
Holidays were a fun time which usually included playing poker, Montana Red Dog, shooting craps and even ping-pong. He handed down his knowledge of gambling and billiards. You could find him occasionally sipping on a scotch and water during these events. Pall Mall was his choice of cigarette. Although later in life he realized the harmful effects of smoking and gave them up cold turkey style. He was from Butte, after all.
Although he did not attend church much with the exception for weddings and funerals, his attributes were along the lines of the way Jesus Christ would like us to treat one another. He was always willing to forgive and never held a grudge. He loved driving and cruising down memory lane with family and friends.
Punk married Ruth Lightner in Pomona and settled into their first home in Orange, CA. in the late 50’s. They were blessed with 3 amazing children who will be carrying the torch of their father’s spirit, minus the Pall Mall’s.
He was employed at Frazier Cement of southern California. After learning the uses and value of concrete products, he formed a partnership with a friend and created the H & C company, located in Yorba Linda, CA. To this day H & C meter boxes are used by many municipalities across southern California. Chances are good that if you walk out to your homes water meter that you will find an H & C meter box.
After many years of manufacturing his brand of cement meter boxes, he moved on to expand his knowledge of waterworks products. He sold his share of the company and landed a position with a major waterworks supplier, Marden Susco in Santa Ana, CA. He rose to top salesman quickly and helped Marden Susco become one of the premier waterworks suppliers in Southern California.
As often is the case he divorced and remarried Linda Maisch of Fullerton, CA. Doing so he was instantly blessed with two additional sons and became a great father for them as well.
Punk’s ambition and knowledge lead him to retire from Marden and once again start his own waterworks company, LG Supply company, located in Corona, California. He was able to secure contracts with several cities to supply them with their waterworks material needs. Some of these include the cities of Riverside, San Clemente, Yucaipa & Cucamonga. He established a strong foothold thru his excellent customer service skills and providing personalized attention. He was a one man show for over 25 years and was instrumental in keeping the water flowing for hundreds of miles for routes that served millions of homes and businesses for their water consumption and waste needs. He was always up for a poker game and could be counted on for a joke or two which always brought laughter to those who heard them.
One day his multitasking abilities were challenged while fishing on the Columbia river with one of his brothers. He was able to catch a big salmon who fought him hard. When he stood up to reel him in, his pants fell to his knees. Not too embarrassed he let go of the reel with one hand but was still holding on to the fishing pole with his other while pulling up his pants. Despite his efforts, that fish lived to see another day.
Most days you could find him at the Silver Dollar Pancake House in Corona, a friend to all, the staff treated him like family. They even started calling him to let him know that the soup of the day was ‘Split Pea’.
Now that he is no longer with us, the task of our lifetime is to live by his example of kindness, tolerance and love.
He is survived by his wife Linda Cossette of Corona, CA.,
Daughter Marie Mathers (Brad) of Litchfield Park, AZ., Sons: Richard Cossette (Yvonne) of Norwalk, Ca., Harold ‘James’ Cossette (Rebecca) of Spokane Valley, WA., and Steven Cossette (Nancy) of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Brother: William ‘Mike’ Weible (Shelley); 11 Grandchildren, 10 Great-Grandchildren; 3 Nieces, 1 Great-Niece, 1 Great-nephew.
Loyal, Dedicated, forever faithful companion dog ‘LG’ .
“Love ya. Bye for now”
In lieu of flowers, expressions of memory can be sent to:
Corona Animal Shelter or
ASPCA
A celebration of his life will be planned in the future
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