John "Johnny" Ambrose Cosgrove

Born in 1946 in Galway, Ireland, Johnny was the son of Patrick Cosgrove and Theresa (nee Dolan). When he was 15, the Cosgrove family moved to Tuam, in County Galway where he met the love of his life Mary Cunningham. From their teens, 62 years ago they were inseparable and in love. It’s not hard to see why as Johnny was a funny, charming, and handsome young man, and soon one of the youngest professional drummers in the country. He was the drummer for the Irish Showband The Bandits, playing many venues around the country and in the UK.

In 1966, Mary and Johnny married and welcomed their first son Paul the following year. In 1969 their family was complete with the arrival of Mark. Johnny was a hairdresser, with two shops, while still playing drums 6 nights a week in hotels and pubs in and around Galway. In 1974, seeking adventure, many did in those days, the Cosgrove family emigrated to Canada and settled in Scarborough.

Johnny continued to work as a hairdresser in Canada before leaving that profession and beginning work for Rogers Cable, from which he retired at the end of 2012.

Johnny was known for many interests, including his abiding love, and interest in, all things Irish – particularly all things Galway! He loved place names and how they came to be. Asking him the reason for an Irish placename could produce a scholarly discourse on the subject.

He pursued great research on his own family tree and the lives and connections of those relatives of his he could locate. One topic of great interest was his uncle and namesake, Ambrose Cosgrove, a brave member of the Durham Light Infantry regiment who was killed in action in World War II.

Throughout his life Johnny developed his love of cooking and culinary experimentation, making for some interesting lunch choices for his sons in primary school. But he quickly became adept in the kitchen and the family enjoyed many delicious meals he prepared. As talented as he was with the pots and pans, he was as much or more with the toolbox, with many a renovation, repair or home improvement carried out on the family homes.

After his retirement, Johnny was an active member of many Facebook groups dedicated to his home town of Galway, the show bands, the town where he grew up and met his wife, among others.

In the last few years, Johnny was slowed down by rheumatoid arthritis, and other ailments the result of a hard-working active life. In March of this year, he underwent surgery on his back, but was unable to fully recover. Despite the care of the professionals of Providence Hospital and Scarborough General Hospital, Johnny passed away peacefully on Saturday morning.

Johnny is survived by his wife Mary and his sons Paul and Mark, and his grandson Evan; his siblings Mary Egan, Anne O’Briain, and Noel Cosgrove. In accordance with his strict instructions there will be no funeral service. In time, Mary will organize a small gathering of friends to remember him. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Arthritis Society or Scarborough General Hospital in his name.