Staff reporter
BEAR – Deacon Joseph Kosman, a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Wilmington since 2001, died May 12 of cancer at his home. He was 57.
Deacon Kosman, a native of Connecticut, moved to Delaware from Ohio in 1993 to take a job with W.L. Gore. He held master’s and doctorate degrees in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts.
For more than 10 years, Deacon Kosman ministered at Immaculate Conception Parish in Elkton, Md. In addition, he was a chaplain at Washington College in Chestertown, Md., until 2008, when he and his wife, Patricia, assumed the responsibility for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program at Immaculate Conception and its mission church, St. Jude’s in North East, Md. The Kosmans also ministered for many years in marriage preparation.
Deacon Joseph Kosman, who served at Immaculate Conception Church in Elkton, Md., for more than 10 years, died May 12 at 57.
On the parish website, Immaculate Conception pastor Father Joseph Piekarski wrote that the late deacon “was most enthusiastic about the Gospel; it burned within him. Joe was compelled to absorb Scripture’s holy richness and share it with everyone.” Deacon Kosman, he wrote, not only preached the word in liturgy but lived it in his conviction of Christian values.
“He is greatly missed by this parish for his countless duties as deacon for us,” Father Piekarski wrote. “Surely, Joe’s devotion to his family cannot be replaced … and many, including me, lose a faithful friend.”
Aside from his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Christine McGarvey and her husband, Todd, of Springfield, Pa.; and Mary Kosman of Bear; brothers Paul, Stephen, Michael and Robert; sisters Donna and Carol; and nieces and a nephew.
A wake service will be held Friday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception, 454 Bow St., Elkton, followed by a viewing, also at the church. The funeral Mass will be Saturday, May 19, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception. Burial will be at the parish cemetery in Fair Hill, Md. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Immaculate Conception Outreach, P.O. Box 345, Elkton, MD 21922.
