Eugene S. Cosklo, 77, of Fell Twp., died Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at his home in Bradenton, Fla.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathryn M. Gilroy Cosklo. They were married on Jan. 9, 1971.
Born Aug. 18, 1947, in Carbondale, he was the son of the late Andrew and Mary Malinchak Cosklo.
Gene served in the U.S. Army as a pilot and flew huey helicopters during the Vietnam era. He was a graduate of Fell High School, Lackawanna Junior College and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Upper Iowa University.
He was a true entrepreneur throughout his life and owned and operated The Lobster Trap Restaurant both in Eynon and Wilkes-Barre and was the founder of 315 Realty Corp., Dolphin Sales, Inc. and GC Reality. He was a member of the board of directors for Landmark Bank and a member of the Elkview Country Club. He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Carbondale.
Gene had a love for airplanes at very young age and volunteered to provide helicopter aid during the Agnes Flood. He was very proud to accept the Wright Brothers Award, an elite award for 50 years of decorated flight safety service.
He enjoyed deep sea fishing, boats, gardening, traveling with his wife and time spent in Florida with his family. His greatest joy in life was time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. In the afternoons, you could always find him on his side by side riding his property feeding the deer. Also, he enjoyed sitting down picking his tomatoes from the garden and making tomato sandwiches.
Gene's family would like to thank Dave Cosklo, Kim Johnson and Bill and Terry Sampson for their compassionate support and help to them during this difficult time.
He is also survived by one son, Gene Cosklo and wife, Melanie, Greenfield Twp.; one daughter, Dr. Jessica Brennan and husband, Michael, Fell Twp.; four grandchildren, Parker and Sadie Cosklo and Bayleigh and Brody Brennan; one sister, Ruth Beleski; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Andrew and Ronald Cosklo.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Rose of Lima Church, 6 N. Church St., Carbondale. Interment with military honors will follow in Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Twp.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 89 Farview St., Carbondale.
To share condolences and photos with Gene's family, visit his book of everlasting memories at www.parisefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Gene's name to Women in Aviation Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, 2001 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, PA 18704.
