Q. What was Thomas Allen Cosgrove's first job? Did he/she like it?
A. My dad talked a lot about working at the movie theater as a teenager. He used to joke a lot about having to pick up gum off the floor after everyone got done watching the movie. He also mentioned being called "Grover" by his friends at this job.
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 13, 2008)
Q. What did Thomas Allen Cosgrove dream of doing with his/her life?
A. My mom and dad had big plans for their retirement. They talked a lot before Dad got sick about how much fun they were going to have. They were going to build a chicken coup and buy a tractor and just live life having fun and being together.
The thing I think about most lately and am most sad about is how dad will never get to meet his grandkids. One night after supper while we were watching tv dad turned to me and said that he wanted his grandkids to call him "Grandpa Grover". We both laughed and dreamed about that day. I really did think that dad would get to expirience that. I held a lot of hope of him getting better.
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 15, 2008)
Q. If Thomas Allen Cosgrove could have any job, what do you think he/she could have done?
A. While my dad loved being a "pay phone man" his true passion was nature. His time spent as a volunteer naturalist at Katio State Park were some of the memories he held most dear.
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 13, 2008)
Q. What do you think would have been a good/alternative job for Thomas Allen Cosgrove?
Q. Who was Thomas Allen Cosgrove's childhood best friend?
A. Within the last few weeks my dad mentioned Dan Brown a lot. I recall him telling me that he was "his best friend in the whole wide world". He really wanted to get together with him and have him see his home and meet his family.
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 13, 2008)
Q. What Thomas Allen Cosgrove's favorite book or TV show?
A. I can still hear the sound of his "belly laugh" while watching "Leave it to Beaver" and the "Andy Griffith Show"... I really didnt get what was so funny :) but Dad did!
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 13, 2008)
Q. Did Thomas Allen Cosgrove compete with any groups or sports teams?
A. Some of my funnest childhood memories were watching my dad play softball. He loved it and he really was good! My mom has the picture of him in the paper sliding into home plate. My dad truely had a love for baseball!
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 13, 2008)
Q. What did Thomas Allen Cosgrove want to be when he/she grew up?
Q. What scared Thomas Allen Cosgrove as a child?
Q. How did people see Thomas Allen Cosgrove – class clown, bookworm, social butterfly?
A. A really nice guy!
Ginger Cosgrove Duncan (Jul 28, 2008)
Q. What is a funny childhood memory you have of Thomas Allen Cosgrove?
A. Well, I'll take chance at this one, hoping Tom won't scold me somehow for telling about this one. He was sitting in Dad's leather chair in the living room, only because Dad wasn't home, & he lit a match by his butt & then farted & a flame shot out about 2 feet. I was totally shocked & then we laughed. He also did something to something electrical, I forgot exactly what, it seems like it was a clock, he got scolded the next day, because it could have started a fire. One more thing that I remember about him, he was kind of messy & he used to leave old hard stale sandwiches in his drawer:)
Ginger Cosgrove Duncan (Jul 28, 2008)
Q. What was Thomas Allen Cosgrove's favorite subject? Least favorite?
Q. Describe Thomas Allen Cosgrove's high school experience?
Q. What was Thomas Allen Cosgrove's social group like?
A. Everybody that knew Tom thought he was a great guy, they all liked Tom. He was a popular guy, as soon as people knew he was the brother of the "Cos" he was in! They all called him Grover.
Ginger Cosgrove Duncan (Jul 28, 2008)
Q. Who was Thomas Allen Cosgrove's favorite teacher?
Q. What did Thomas Allen Cosgrove do after high school – college, start his/her career?
Q. How did Thomas Allen Cosgrove change through his/her school years?
Q. Where did Thomas Allen Cosgrove go to school?
A. Tom went to kindergarten at Washington grade school in Elgin, Il. He went to1st grade at St. Laurence grade school in Elgin, Il. Our family then moved to West Dundee, Il. where he went to St. Catherine of Sienna 2nd grade through 8th grade. He then went to Dundee Junior high in 9th grade, from there he went on to Dundee Community High school for his sophomore through senior years, graduating in 1969.
Ginger Cosgrove Duncan (Jul 28, 2008)
Q. What was Thomas Allen Cosgrove's family life like?
A. It wasn't an easy life growing up in our home, but all of us kids managed to survive it & we had alot of good times with each other & our friends.We had good times with our cousins & Aunts & Uncles & we had really nice Grandma's.
Ginger Cosgrove Duncan (Jul 28, 2008)
Q. Did Thomas Allen Cosgrove have siblings? Were they close?
A. My dad was a twin, which I always thought was the coolest thing! I dreamed of having twins someday when I was a little girl. He had a special connection with his twin sister Ginger.
He had a little sister Mary Helen who was disabled. I think dad loved her very much and held a lot of pain in his heart from loosing her.
He was also very proud of his big brother Paul. They look so much alike. I am so greatful that they all got to get together at my baby brothers wedding this summer!
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 13, 2008)
Q. Did Thomas Allen Cosgrove have a favorite or memorable family story?
Q. Did Thomas Allen Cosgrove have a philosophy on life? Something he/she always said?
A. He always said to me "you have to buy quality to get quality" and when I first learned how to drive he told me to "always leave yourself an out". Dad drove a lot for his job and really knew what he was talking about!
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 14, 2008)
Q. What were Thomas Allen Cosgrove's religious or spiritual beliefs?
A. My dad loved his Catholic religion. He made a point of expressing how important your relationship with Jesus is in your life. Dad was a lector at our church and everyone respected him and enjoyed listening to him do the readings. I was the very first "alter girl" at our church Our Lady of Fatima in Garrison. Dad helped me to convince the priest that a girl could do the job :) I think that really made him proud.
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 14, 2008)
Q. Was Thomas Allen Cosgrove athletic? Attend sports games?
Q. Did Thomas Allen Cosgrove enjoy the arts – painting, writing, or music?
Q. Was Thomas Allen Cosgrove an avid collector? Any quirky hobbies?
Q. Describe the perfect day for Thomas Allen Cosgrove?
Q. Was Thomas Allen Cosgrove a romantic?
Q. What were some of Thomas Allen Cosgrove's favorite foods?
A. Within the last few months my dad was very fond of ice cream. An every night event was dad going out to the garage after supper to grab a "dilly bar" from dairy queen and offering one to me. His favorite were chocolate dillys. I mentioned to him one day that I liked the cherry ones best and he went out the next day and bought a bunch of cherry flavored dillys. He was so excited to let me know that my favorite kind were out in the freezer. I will never forget it.
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 14, 2008)
Q. What were Thomas Allen Cosgrove's favorite travel destinations?
Q. Did Thomas Allen Cosgrove visit museums when traveling? Try the cuisine?
Q. Where did Thomas Allen Cosgrove dream of traveling?
A. My mom and dad were planning a trip to the north shore in Duluth this summer. In fact he had a picture of the hotel up on his "vision board" in his bedroom.
Dad also really wanted to get back down to Elgin IL, his home town. He wanted to throw his new bike in the back of his truck and ride bike with his twin sister Ginger.
Meghan Cosgrove (Jul 13, 2008)
Q. Did Thomas Allen Cosgrove feel at home in another country?
A. I really don't think so.
Ginger Cosgrove Duncan (Jul 28, 2008)
Q. In what other country could you imagine Thomas Allen Cosgrove living?
A. No other Country, he loved his home in Brainerd, Mn.
Ginger Cosgrove Duncan (Jul 28, 2008)
