Charles Cosover

Charles “Chick” Cosover, 84, died on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at home in Haymarket, VA, surrounded by the love and care of his four “girls.”

He was born on March 8, 1937 in the Bronx, NY to Edward and Agnes (Moore) Cosover.

He was proud to graduate from DeWitt Clinton High School (NY) in 1954 and East Stroudsburg (PA) State College in 1959 and was awarded his master’s degree from there in 1968.

At East Stroudsburg, Chick’s roommate talked him into attending the junior prom with Harriet Marie Shoudt. By their second date, he knew. They were married on June 25, 1960 in Baptistown, NJ. They were together for 61 years.

He lived in Milford, NJ for 41 years until moving to Virginia two years ago to be closer to his youngest grandchildren (and, frankly, to avoid yard work).

Sports played a huge role in Chick’s life from stickball in the Bronx, to taking the subway to NY Yankees games, captaining the varsity basketball team in college, and cheering for the NY Giants. His garage paid homage to his own sporting prowess, "Sports Illustrated" magazine and the many 20th century sports figures whom he had personally met.

Chick was a physical education teacher, coach and umpire. He started his career at Oxford (NJ) Elementary School, then moved to Frenchtown (NJ) Elementary School for nine years. He was briefly a health instructor and assistant basketball coach at Paterson State College before taking a position in the elementary schools of Teaneck (NJ) School District in 1971. He coached high school soccer, basketball and baseball. He retired in 1998. One of his colleagues said that Chick was so innovative he could run a class in a closet. He was a mentor to thousands of children in his lifetime, encouraging exercise, fun, teamwork, fairness and sportsmanship.

Locally, he was a familiar face on sports fields as a youth umpire or referee. (We apologize if he called your kid out on a close play at the plate.) Chick’s illustrious sports career also included playing in the Tri-County Baseball League and many area softball leagues, bowling at Riegel Ridge, and serving as an assistant coach this summer for his grandson’s rec league basketball program. However, he still doesn’t know the rules of the game of cricket. He donated baseball memorabilia into the permanent collection of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY.

Chick was a kind, generous and friendly man who always thought about others above himself. He had countless cherished friends. His “Chicknics” (picnics) were legendary. “I have a story for you” was a common refrain woven into every encounter with Chick. One favorite was the story about the Canadian geese aiming for him on the athletic field. He also excelled with the written word. In Chick’s later years, he wrote many “Nobody asked me but…” pieces for local newspapers, sharing musings on contemporary issues. He was also a key contributor to the 1984 book, "You’ll Never Guess What We Did in Gym Today!" on how to conduct physical education in a classroom during inclement weather. In his retirement, he worked at Harkers Hollow Golf Club in Phillipsburg, NJ.

He, his brother and friends relished taking road trips to spring training in Florida and baseball games around the country, and he enjoyed traveling to Australia, Ireland, Italy and Cooperstown, NY (eating at every diner along the way). Thankfully, GPS became readily available, and Harriet was no longer at the mercy of his sense of direction.

As a devoted attendee of St. Edward the Confessor R.C. Church in Milford, NJ, his roles included serving as a lector and taking up the collection, but thankfully NOT the choir.

Survivors include his beloved wife Harriet, his three treasured daughters Mary Jo Martin (Stephen) of Melbourne, Australia, Catharine Soros (Jeffrey) of Los Angeles, CA, and Kerry Cosover (Ron George), of Nokesville, VA, along with grandchildren Daniel and Alison Martin, Preston and Sabrina Soros, and Grace, Riley, Saph, Olivia and Nathan George, brother Gerald “Jerry” Cosover (Jane) of Easton, PA, and sister Lynn Schroeder (William, Jr.) of Chestnut Hill, PA, and many adored nieces and nephews and their children. His beloved son Robert Harry Cosover predeceased him in 1971.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation at Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Holland Twp., NJ on Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 6:00-8:00pm, with Chick's daughters eulogizing him at 7:00pm and all are encouraged to attend. Visitation will also be held again on Monday, November 8 from 9:30-10:30am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Edward the Confessor R.C. Church, 61 Mill Street, Milford, NJ at 11:00am. Chick will be buried beside his son at Milford Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.

Condolences

From: Marlene Bristow Hewitt
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Cosover. He was my gym teacher at Frenchtown Elementary School. There are teachers and there are beloved teachers that stay with you in your memories for your entire life. He was definitely a beloved. Prayers for Comfort at this sad time.

From: Fran Petiet
Sending our condolences to the entire family of Chick Cosover, We have known him many years and Richard played ball with him, we are so sorry for your loss. Happy memories and lots of prayers to all of you.

From: Josephine Murray
So sorry for your loss Mary jo condolences to your mom and all the rest or your family on the sad passing of your dad

From: Sujet Cheryl
So sorry for your loss prayers for you and your family. My husband Gary played ball with him many years ago. Chick was a great person who everyone loved.

From: Michael
Will never forget your visits down under.I recall the time when Chick lost his reading glasses on a flight to Cairns,only to find them again on your return to Melbourne on the very top of a large bag of similar items left on planes around the world.A highlight for Chick was when I got him a ride on the flight deck of a 737 from Melbourne to Canberra.Judi and I will never forget your kindness when we visited you in Milford 4 years ago.Always in our thoughts

From: Dave Gano
So very sorry to hear of Chick’s passing. My first coach when I was in 7th grade in Frenchtown. So good with all the kids. I always used to see him once a year at the Memorial Day Parade in Frenchtown and always said let’s get the ball team together and have a game. Great Great guy and true gentleman…..bye coach!

From: Bronwyn and Joe Arthur
Dearest Cosover Family, Are hearts are with you all as each of you find ways of living without your gorgeous “Chick”. We loved getting to know both Chick and Harriet in their visits to Australia. We have memories of great story telling, much laughter, and a genuine interest in us all. We enjoyed all the sharing about the idiosyncrasies of our two countries, and the animated sports discussions. To you all, with much love, B and J

From: Judy Weiss Yozzo
Harriet and Chick's family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember Chick from when I was around Milford, at St. Edward's and especially Tri-County baseball games when my father (Bob Weiss) and brother (Jack) played. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this sad time. Judy

From: Shellie Taylor
To my dearest Harriet, MaryJo, Catharine & Kerry (and all your husbands and children), I love you! Chick was a huge part of the Pollock family and life was always happier when he was around. I hold dear the friendship that Chick & Marty had for 40+ years. I cherish my memories, the stories and the time spent with all of you. You are all in my heart and prayers.

From: Judy Distler
One of the sweetest and kindest people I’ve ever known. My children (Mark and Loren) adored him at Whittier - as did my husband and I - as parents of kids who were lucky enough to have him as a teacher - and later, for me, as a colleague who saw him frequently. Condolences to the family. Your loss is shared by all who knew him.

From: Judy Distler
One of the sweetest and kindest people I’ve ever known. My children (Mark and Loren) adored him at Whittier - as did my husband and I - as parents of kids who were lucky enough to have him as a teacher - and later, for me, as a colleague who saw him frequently. Condolences to the family. Your loss is shared by all who knew him.

From: Doug and Mary sunday
To The Entire Cosover Family: Having lived in Milford for many years and known your family, we know your hearts are heavy now, but Chick will always be with you..watching over each of you with a smile and your memories will bring you comfort. May he rest in peace. With deepest sympathy, The Sunday Family.

From: Lucy Stamilla
Please accept my sincere condolences on your great loss. I was smart enough to hire Charles to be a Phys. Ed. teacher in the Teaneck Public Schools many years ago . He was pleasant, innovative, hard-working, and he possessed a great sense of humor. The kids loved him...as did the teaching and administrative staff. May he Rest in Peace...and may you find consolation in knowing that your grief will be shared by his many friends.

From: Sue Ennis
As an Australian friend of Mary Jo I send my condolences to all your family. Such a shame I was not able to meet your father. Mary Jo always talked so warmly about her father (and her mother) I know she misses them. Will hold you in the light during this time of passing

From: Louise Bidwell Fahey
Harriet and family, I am so sorry to hear of Chick's passing. I remember him fondly for the time I knew him while at Frenchtown Elementary where he worked with my mom, Lucy Bidwell. She always spoke of Chick with great respect. My condolences.

From: Flo Morgenstein
So sorry to hear of your loss. I was lucky enough to teach PE under his supervision. He was a very special man who clearly loved his job.

From: Louise Van Horn
What a wonderful man and dedicated educator. I taught with Chick at both Bryant and Hawthorne Schools in Teaneck. My students loved his class and through sports and movement learned valuable life lessons that went well beyond the physical education curriculum. Knowing I was originally a Philly girl , Chick liked to tease me about my hometown sports teams. I always looked forward to our spirited (but always funny and good hearted!) conversations. My deepest sympathies to Harriet and the entire Cosover Family.

From: Lori
To the family of Mr. Cosover: I never met Mr. Cosover, but I looked forward to and read every "Nobody asked me but..." that I could get my hands on. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it every week. I just loved his advise and experiences. I was truly disappointed when the "Nobody asked me but..." articles stopped appearing in the paper. May Mr. Conover rest in peace. I can tell by these condolences that he will truly be missed. I wish I had met him.

From: Deb Baty
Like Lori I never met Mr. Cosover but knew it would be a good day if one of his letters appeared in the Express -Times. He was both insightful and humorous. It is ironic that his obituary which brought the sad news was in the same paper in which his letters brought me such pleasure. He was unique and will be missed. My sincere condolences.

From: Lisa Lynch
Mr. Cosover was one of a handful of educators from my elementary days at Whittier in Teaneck, NJ. I LOVED gym class with him. I remember enjoying this thing we did with a colorful parachute in the gym/auditorium/lunch room. He was such a great person who taught the value of good sportsmanship. Condolences to the family.

From: Sara
Like a couple others (who have stated so well), I never met Mr. Cosover, but thoroughly enjoyed his humorous and insightful writings in the Express Times. I often thought of sending him a note to express my admiration, and regret that I never did. So I will say it now. What a great person, on so many levels! He touched so many lives. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

From: Jerry Shoudt, Harriets brother
Chick always had a funny expression and a story to tell. One that always sticks out in my mind is: “That fact and $1.00 will get you a ride on the New York subway” Another, when starting out on a lengthy diatribe: “Jerry, true story” (as though it couldn’t possibly be so). And he always did that lower lip curl to emphasize a point. My favorite one was the Teaneck Schools Goose story, a Chick classic. Apparently, there were some local geese that were continually trying to run him off the campus. What a visual. He was the man who introduced me to Egg Creams. The owner of the world famous garage Sports museum, complete with an autographed Babe Ruth baseball. On the family trips, he aways made sure to put together an album of mementos, photos, and clever lines, to cherish forever. Chick was one of a kind, bigger than life, full of expression, a very sincere, likable, and empathetic person. It’s plain to see that he affected people in a positive way, wherever he went. That is the mark of a successful life. The picture above says a thousand words about the character of the man. His life story backs it all up. He will be missed. He was the brother I never had.

From: Laine Scheetz
Chick was a great sportsman and a true gentleman. I loved listening to his sports stories. Some really great times for me was on the occasions that I was with Chick and Jerry when they where talking about the great Yankee and Red Sox rivalry, particularly the Dimaggio -Williams years. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace Chick.

From: Laine Scheetz
Chick was a great sportsman and a true gentleman. I loved listening to his sports stories. Some really great times for me was on the occasions that I was with Chick and Jerry when they where talking about the great Yankee and Red Sox rivalry, particularly the Dimaggio -Williams years. My condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace Chick.

From: Carol Thorpe Haggas
Oh, Harriet, I am so sorry for this loss. You have been a part of my life since my earliest memories and, therefore, so has Chick. I can’t think of you without him. Your devoted marriage was a thing of joy and inspiration to all who knew you. I wish you comfort from a life well lived and strength in the love of family and friends who surround you, even from far away.

From: VSA Ertz Soccer Team
We are so sorry to hear of the loss. We have had the pleasure of knowing your daughter Kerry and granddaughter Olivia on the girls soccer team. We want to wish the family some peace at this time and know our thoughts and prayers are with you.

From: Nanci M Walker
Catherine, I'm so sorry for your loss, my condolences to you and your family.

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