Obituary of Salvatore Cossari

Salvatore ''Sam'' Cossari, age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 27, 2017. Sam was born in Calabria, Italy on January 30, 1929, son of the late Leonardo and the late Caterina (Falbo) Cossari. At the age of four, he came to the United States with his parents. Sam attended schools No. 3, No. 2 and graduated from Central High School. At the age of 21, he married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Kaywork. Sam was drafted into the US Army, served in Korea for 2 years and was awarded many service medals. Sam continued his athletic competition, in football and softball with St Michael's, which went on to be City and Passaic County Champs. He also enjoyed competing in bowling, golf and boxing with the Diamond Gloves. Sam later joined the Paterson Police Department. As one of the officers with the least amount of time on the job, he was elected PBA president for 8 years until his promotion to Sergeant. Before retiring he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. Sam was lauded by his constituents for his accomplishments as PBA President which include gaining overtime pay, court time pay, percentage raises, college reimbursement and many more benefits that new officers are enjoying today. He was also a member of St. Gerard Majella RC Church, Paterson PBA Local 1 Past Presidents, NJ State PBA, American Legion Post 227, Totowa and the Fidelians of America. Sam is survived by his loving children Cathy and her fiancé Vinnie Fierro, Lenny, Cindy Blum (Ray Blum), and Mickey and his wife Lucy; his devoted grandchildren Salvatore and Danielle Cossari, Raymond and Justin Blum and Michael and Matthew Cossari and his dear sister Connie Matarazzo. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Helen; his brother Frank and his daughter-in-law Teri. Visiting on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 from 4-8 pm at the funeral home Friends are welcome to attend the funeral on Thursday, August 31, at 9:00 am at Moore's Home For Funerals, 1591 Alps Rd, Wayne and the Mass at 10:00 am at St. Gerard Majella RC Church, 501 West Broadway, Paterson. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org