Gene Cosgriff

Gene Cosgriff, 86, of Pleasant Plains, a retired storekeeper and community leader whose efforts prevented the filling of liquid natural gas (LNG) tanks in Rossville, died Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Mr. Cosgriff, along with his wife, Edwina and other community members, formed BLAST -- Bring Legal Action to Stop the Tanks -- prior to a tragic 1973 LNG tank explosion in Bloomfield which caused 40 deaths. They had already questioned the safety of transporting and storing liquid gas in populated areas.

After the deadlly accident, they continued to fight the building of two additional tanks in Rossville. Though the tanks were eventually built, BLAST's efforts prevented them from ever being filled.

Mr. Cosgriff was also a member of the Staten Island Respect Life Vicariate of the Archdiocese of New York, and spent many years working for the right-to-life movement.

Born in the Bronx, he grew up in Brooklyn, where he graduated from Manual Training High School. He settled in Pleasant Plains in 1964.

Mr. Cosgriff worked as a senior storekeeper, overseeing inventory, deliveries and warehouse transactions for the Staten Island Ferry. He also worked as a civilian employee for the city Fire Department. He retired in 1993.

He was a member of the Stolzenthaler Council, Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

An accomplished vocalist, he loved to sing and entertain at many local nursing homes. He also enjoyed working on the computer, square dancing, camping and dining with his family at Red Lobster.

He was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains.

In addition to his wife of 65 years, Edwina; he is survived by his sons, Stephen, Patrick, Timothy, Kerry, Christopher, Edward, Sean, Michael and John; his daughters, Eugenia Schubert, Ave Maria Hurley, Lillian Hobson, Elizabeth O'Regan and Bridget Lillo; 41 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Monday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, also Pleasant Plains.

Services: St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church Monday, May 4, 2015 10:30AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Saturday, May 2, 2015 & Sunday, May 3, 2015 2-4 & 7-9pm

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Thomas The Apostle RC Church