CHICOPEE – United States Air Force Retired Master Sergeant Alfred Kevin “Al” Cosgrove, 90, of Chicopee, died on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at home. Born on May 13, 1925 in New York City, he was the son of the late Alfred P. and Claire (O’Keefe) Cosgrove. After graduating from high school in Valley Stream, NY, Al enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a Radio Operator and Waist Gunner on B24 bombers in the Pacific Theater earning various medals including the World War II Victory Medal. After the end of the war, he was part of the occupying force in Korea. Upon his return to the United States, he met the love of his life, the late Irene B. Roulier, at a USO dance at Westover Air Force Base. Knowing how hard it was to be married as an enlisted serviceman, he sought a posting with the Foreign Attaché service in Madrid, Spain. When he suddenly received orders, the phone call went out, “Honey get your dress and call the church! We’re getting married”! Thus began the marriage that crossed international borders and spanned over fifty five years. All four of their children were born in different countries – Michael in Madrid, Spain, Patrick in Frankfurt, Germany, Daniel in Massachusetts and Teresa in Lima, Peru. Following his assignment in Peru, Al finished out his military career with an additional two tours of duty at Westover with The Strategic Air Command allowing his two older sons to go to American high schools and improve their chances of entry into the Army or Naval Academy. He proudly succeeded in his mission as both sons were accepted and graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD and became Naval Aviators. He retired from the Air Force in 1966 after 23 years and rounded out his military service with another 7 years of service in the Air Force Reserve. While still in the Air Force, Al began attending college and continued on after retirement, graduating from American International College with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration. After graduation, he began his second career as a claims adjuster for Traveler’s Insurance where he worked for twenty years. Al and Irene loved traveling, camping, bowling, dancing, listening to music and bragging about their children. He also enjoyed reading, photography and developing photographs, and loved his many canine companions throughout the years. They were longtime communicants of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. He was a Past President of the Air Force Sergeants Association, a member of the American Legion Post 854 in Valley Stream, NY and a former member of the Elks Lodge 1849 and Moose Family Center, both in Chicopee. Al is survived by his son, Daniel J. Cosgrove (Marcia) of Port Matilda, PA; his daughter, Teresa M. Strandberg (John) of Wilbraham; his two daughters-in-laws, Rhea Cosgrove and Carol Cosgrove; his brother, Anthony Cosgrove (Christine) of Harwich; his five grandchildren, Michael Cosgrove, Liam Cosgrove (Jamie), Joseph Cosgrove (Janna), Kevin Cosgrove and Kate Strandberg; his two step-grandchildren, Wendy Todd and Michele Nelson (Michael); his five great-grandchildren, Holden Garrison, Andrew Cosgrove, Ethan Cosgrove, Emma Cosgrove and Dillan Cosgrove; his brother-in-law, Joseph Roulier (Dorothy); and his many nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his two sons, Michael A. Cosgrove and Patrick E. Cosgrove; and his brother, Gerard Cosgrove. His Funeral will be held on Tuesday morning, February 23, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels,(413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (the funeral home will open at 9:30 a.m.), followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends on Monday, February 22, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com