Obituary of John P. Cogswell, Sr.

John P. Cogswell Sr., age 75, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Orlando VA Medical Center in Orlando, FL.  John’s family will be holding a private celebration of life.

John was born in Elmira, NY, on September 18, 1947, to the late Michael Clinton Cogswell and Victoria (Knott) Cogswell.

John was happiest surrounded by family, whether it was summer family reunions on Walnut Street, speedboat runs on Seneca Lake with his children in tow water-skiing or hanging up Christmas lights on the house to make his daughter “Pammy” smile.

John had a deep connection to his four brothers, Michael, Edward, Clinton “Kink” and Thomas. He loved golfing with them in Florida and watching movies at night. John holds the rare distinction of two holes-in-one on the golf course. John loved children so much that he’d often disappear from the adult dinner table and could be spotted playing with the little ones.

John is survived by many family members and friends: his beloved children, son John Cogswell, Jr., and partner Maureen Wholey of North Reading, MA, daughter Pamela Cogswell-Nicastro and husband Dominic Nicastro of Manchester, NH; grandchildren, Jane Cogswell, John Cogswell III and Matthew Cogswell; brothers, Michael and wife Dorothy and Clinton “Kink” and wife Jane; sisters-in-law, Carol and Linda; the mother of his children, Susan (Bonnell) Cogswell of Elmira; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by his brothers, Edward and Thomas Cogswell, and nephew, Michael Cogswell.