Pittsford, NY - Father William J. Cosgrove, a priest for more than 70 years, died Feb. 28, 2026, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Pittsford. He was 95.

A Southern Tier native, Father Cosgrove grew up in St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Hornell. He attended St. Ann School, also in Hornell, before heading to Rochester to attend St. Andrew's and St. Bernard's seminaries, both in Rochester. He earned a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he was ordained Dec. 17, 1955, by Bishop Martin J. O'Connor.

After returning to the United States, Father Cosgrove served as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Rochester (1956-61); Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Rochester (1961-65); and St. Michael Parish in Penn Yan and its mission church, St. Andrew in Dundee (1965-73).

In 1973, he returned to his hometown to serve as chaplain at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell for two years. In 1975, he became pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Rochester and served there for one year before becoming pastor at St. John Parish in Clyde and St. Patrick Parish in Savannah.

After seven years at the Wayne County churches, Father Cosgrove moved to Ontario County to begin a 17-year pastorate at St. Dominic Parish. He served at the Shortsville parish until he achieved senior status in 2000.

"He was very much loved there," remarked Father John Gagnier, who succeeded Father Cosgrove at St. Dominic.

During his time in Shortsville, Father Cosgrove oversaw the fundraising for and construction of a new parish center, which was completed in 1989, Father Gagnier said.

"I'm sure that's something (parishioners) never thought would happen, but he had the vision to do it," Father Gagnier remarked.

The facility was a great asset to the parish and was frequently used for diocesan meetings because of Shortsville's central location within the diocese and proximity to the New York State Thruway, he added.

Father Cosgrove continued to support St. Dominic and its parishioners even after his pastorate had ended, and he even made a significant financial contribution toward the restoration of the parish's pipe organ, Father Gagnier said.

After leaving St. Dominic, Father Cosgrove continued to minister at Rochester-area parishes, particularly St. Jude the Apostle Church in Gates, and served as a chaplain at the VA Medical Center in Canandaigua. He resided at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse for many years.

Father Cosgrove was predeceased by his parents, Ray and Margaret Cosgrove; his brother and fellow diocesan priest, Father James R. Cosgrove; and his sister, Patricia C. (Robert) Dunning. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Margaret (Anthony) DiMartino, Ray (Kathleen) Dunning, Elizabeth (William) Jesserer, Robert (Mary Ellen) Dunning, Helen (Michael) Riggio, William (Brooke) Dunning and Carrie (William) Mathias; as well as 28 great-nieces and great-nephews; and 10 great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

Visitation for Father Cosgrove will take place March 3, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Parish of the Holy Family's St. Jude Church, 4100 Lyell Road in Gates. Evening prayer will follow visitation.

Beginning at 9:45 a.m. on March 4, 2026, visitation will again take place at St. Jude Church. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Rochester, will preside at Father Cosgrove's funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse, 150 French Road, Rochester, NY 14618; Hope Hall School, 1612 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624; or Parish of the Holy Family, 4100 Lyell Road, Rochester, NY 14606.

— Courier obituary by Jennifer Burke