Cosimo J. Bosco

BOSCO, Cosimo J., 88, of West Hartford, CT, beloved husband of 59 years to Edwina L. Bosco, died, Friday, September 4, 2015, at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. He left this world holding the hand of his best friend and the love of his life. Born in Enfield, son of the late Dominic and Lucia (Cimino) Bosco, he had lived in West Hartford since 1963. He is survived by his six devoted children and their families: Paul and Diane Bosco of Concord, MA; Carol and Tim Dymek, DMD, of Gardner, MA; Mary and Andrew Clarke of West Hartford, CT; John Bosco of Wakefield, MA; Patricia and Dan O’Malley of West Hartford, CT; Clare and John McAndrew of Pleasantville, NY, and Tim and Elke Amos of Dulwich, England (special friends known by Cosimo’s children as their Euro-Sibs). His loss is also deeply felt by his fourteen grandchildren: Paul Bosco, Jr., Kasja Dymek, Teagan Dymek, John Francis Clarke, Sgt. Michael Clarke USMC, Grace Clarke, Rose Clarke, Anna-Nicole (Nikki) Bosco, Mia O’Malley Jaques and her husband Sean Jaques, Laura O’Malley, Bridget O’Malley, Daniel O’Malley, Jr., J. Owen McAndrew, and Nolan McAndrew; his doting big sister Antoinette Porrazzo of Eastchester, NY, and his well-loved godsons, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Nicholas Bosco, his sister, Carmela G. Coletto, and his dear “cugino” Angelo Vesce. Following his service in WWII, where he served in the Army Medical Corp at Cushing General Hospital in Framingham, MA, Cosimo attended the University of Connecticut on the G.I. Bill at the Fort Trumbull Campus, which was established briefly (1946-1950) following World War II to provide returning veterans a UCONN Education. He completed his degrees at the Storrs Campus receiving his BSEE (1951) and MSEE (1954) degrees. He was a member of Theta Xi, an engineering fraternity, and IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Upon graduating from UCONN, he started his engineering career working on the US Air Force Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) program. He made important contributions in fuel controls advancements on the SR-71 Blackbird in the 1960's and later joined the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee traveling the world to set standards for aircraft safety. He had a thirty-five year career at United Technologies, and was the 1983 recipient of the prestigious UTC George Mead Award for engineering achievement related to the development of full authority electronic controls for jet engines. He enjoyed his work, and pursued an extended career with the Federal Aviation Administration which afforded him and Edwina the opportunity to live in Lexington, MA for 14 years. Upon returning to West Hartford, he still defied retirement by founding his own engineering consultancy, Engine Control Consulting Service, LLC. Cosimo was a faithful parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in West Hartford. He was a member of the Rose Society of Elizabeth Park and was exacting in the care of his roses, even in his illness providing careful instruction to his children for their maintenance. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and his family is ever-grateful for K of C’s continued support through his period of repeated illness. He was also a member of the Old Guard, through which he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and at the UCONN Medical Center. In addition to gardening and his volunteer activities, he pursued diverse interests such as Chinese language and painting, watercolor painting, and was a life-long learner and student of global politics and history who was never without a global history or World War II history book. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Rolf Knoll and the Prime Health team, Dr. Cheryl Smith, and to the comforting and excellent staff at both St. Francis Hospital and at the St. Mary Home. The Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 28, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT, with a reception following for friends and family to reflect on his wonderful spirit and life. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford (www.molloyfuneralhome.com). Cosimo felt that the opportunity he was provided to attend the UCONN School of Engineering opened so many doors for him and changed his life. As a result, he was a lifelong supporter of UCONN and an avid follower of UCONN Basketball (men’s and women’s) and so enjoyed his annual UCONN Football excursion. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a gift to UCONN’s Veterans Activities and Support Fund, or to the UCONN School of Engineering be made in his name. Go Huskies! To Donate to UCONN Veterans Activities and Support Fund http://veterans.uconn.edu/donate/ To Donate to the UCONN School of Engineering http://www.engr.uconn.edu/alumni-engagement/donate/