Cosmo LaTerza, 95, formerly of Tewksbury, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at D’Youville Life and Wellness Community in Lowell, MA following a brief illness. He was surrounded by the love of his family as he peacefully passed away. He was a loving and caring husband to his wife, Frances (Petinge) for 71 years. Together, they were devoted to raising their five children, Steven M. LaTerza (Jeanne), of North Andover, MA, Marie F. Curley (Brian), of Gloucester, MA, Linda A. Reichert (Carl), of Tewksbury, MA, Christopher LaTerza (Sara), of Fairfield, CT, and Lisa A. Camara (Joseph), of Salem, NH.
In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his grandchildren, Michele A. D’Ambrosio, Matthew D. Curley, David A. Reichert (Lauren), Michael F. Reichert, Katherine E. LaTerza, Stephen T. LaTerza, and Joseph C. Camara. He is also survived by his three great granddaughters, Emily M. D’Ambrosio, Casey M. Curley, and Isabella G. Curley. He also leaves behind his much-loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cosmo was preceded in death by his parents, Gaetano and Elizabeth (DeCecca) LaTerza, his siblings and their spouses, Gaetano LaTerza (Angelina), Antoinette Belekewicz (Edmund), Concetta LaTerza, and Lorraine Derrico (Joseph), Frances’ parents, Cosmo and Carmela Petinge, and his brother-in-law and spouse, Daniel P. Petinge (Alice) and brother-in-law, Father Roland Petinge, OFM.
Cosmo was born in Cambridge, MA, and lived in both New Jersey and Somerville as a child. He attended Somerville High School but left during his senior year to join the United States Marine Corp. where he wanted to serve his country during World War II. After a short time, the war ended, he was honorably discharged from the Marines, and he received his GED. He continued his service to the country by joining the National Guard.
After the National Guard, Cosmo went to work for B.F. Goodrich in their footwear division. Here he met Frances. They married in October of 1952, moved to Cambridge, MA, and had their five children. He continued his career at B.F. Goodrich and, when technology started to take hold, he became a computer programmer. Cosmo and Frances moved their family to Charlotte, NC in the early ‘70s where B.F. Goodrich’s footwear division was eventually bought by Converse, Inc. Cosmo, again, relocated his family back to Massachusetts where he finally settled in Tewksbury and he continued his career with Converse. He moved along in the field of technology to become a systems analyst, senior systems analyst, and at the time of his retirement from Converse in 1994, he was the Manager of Systems & Programming.
Cosmo and Frances enjoyed most of their retirement years in their home on Kendall Road until a particularly snowy winter and a bout of pneumonia convinced them to downsize. They became charter members of the Heatherwood Retirement Community in the spring of 2015. They made many friends at Heatherwood and lived there together until Frances’ health declined and she required 24 hour, skilled nursing. Cosmo remained at Heatherwood with support from the family, community, and home health aides. He was reunited with Frances at D’Youville Life and Wellness Community in December, 2023.
Cosmo was an avid golfer, he loved to read, he loved the beach, and he particularly loved his annual trip to Ogunquit. But his greatest love was his family. He loved our big family gatherings where he could spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He so enjoyed our annual cookout and visiting with everyone he loved. He got the biggest kick out of the little ones and they adored him right back.
Cosmo was a kind, loving, funny, patient, and gentle man. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather that anyone could hope for. He is and will always be missed by his family who love him dearly.
The LaTerza family would like to thank the staff of All in One Home Health Care who took such wonderful care of Cosmo and Frances during their time at Heatherwood. We are so grateful for the love and support you provided to us all. To the staff at D’Youville and Beacon Hospice, you are incredible people who made our dad’s final days on this earth as peaceful as possible. Your support for our family and the love, kindness, and compassion you showed our dad will be forever appreciated.
Visitation will be at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury, MA on Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am followed by a funeral service to celebrate Cosmo’s life at 11:00 am. Burial will be immediately following the funeral service at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Rd., Tewksbury, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cosmo’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada Street, Unit 201, Newton, MA 02460 or at www.alz.org