Care Nursing and Rehab recently celebrated Ed Cosgrove, Sr.’s 101st birthday with a helicopter tour of the area in early June.

Cosgrove was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania in August of 1912.  He had one brother and three sisters.  His father was a Spanish-American war veteran and an Anthracite coal miner.  His mother took care raising the family.

After Cosgrove completed high school, the Great Depression hit the United States and at that time, he left home to reduce the financial burden on his family.  He traveled throughout the U.S. doing odd jobs to survive, all while sending money back home to his family.  Cosgrove joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and was stationed in Virginia, where he was assigned to a group that planted trees throughout the state.  He was also a Mess Sergeant in the CCC.

In 1937, he went to work for the Sikorsky-Vought Corporation in Stratford, Connecticut.  He worked in a lab there and worked with Igor Sikorsky as Igor invented and test flew the first helicopter.  In 1939, he worked on the F4U Cosair, a very important aircraft in World War II.  During this time, he met the love of his life at a party in New Haven Connecticut, Olga Bottlene, and they were married in 1941.  They had twin sons in 1943, James and Edward, Jr.  In 1948, Vought Aircraft asked him to move to Dallas, Texas, where he was put in charge of aircraft inspection.  The company later changed its name to the LTV Corporation and he continued to work and attend Southern Methodist University at night.

Cosgrove retired in 1973 as the Chief of the S3A (Submarine Hunter) Aircraft Project, after a 37 year career in aircraft.

He has always been an avid hunter and has bagged game in all parts of the United States.  He was an officer in the Sako Rifle Association, the Arlington Sportsman’s Club, the Sons of Italy, The Vought Quarter Century Club, and the LTV Credit Union.

He was very active in St. Maria’s Catholic Church for over 60 years.  In the late 1990s, at age 83, Cosgrove worked with the Arlington, Texas Food Bank, driving his Ford pickup loaded with food he picked up at local grocery stores and delivering it to the shelters throughout the city.

As he turns 101, Cosgrove is still very active with his dog “Red” and his friends at Care Nursing and Rehab.

His helicopter ride was enjoyable for not only Cosgrove but for all of the residents at Care Nursing and Rehabilitation.

“It was a big deal to all the staff and residents at Care Nursing,” said Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Admissions and Marketing Coordinator Jodie Armstrong.  “We were all outside alert and attentive waiting on his ride in the helicopter.”

Special thanks were given to Leak Surveys Inc., owned by David & Becky Furry for donating the cost and to the wonderful efforts of CMS Health Care (also owned by the Furry’s) in coordinating Mr. Cosgrove’s helicopter ride.

Above and below are a few photos from Cosgrove’s helicopter ride.  Below is a video of Cosgrove’s thoughts on his recent flight.

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Cosgrove is shuttled to his helicopter ride.

Cosgrove enters the helicopter, while friends take pictures and video of his experience.