Thomas & June Cosma

Thomas Louis and June Constance (Fortin) Cosma, loving couple, caring siblings, supportive aunt and uncle, concerned friends, and steadfast Roman Catholics, died Sunday, February 3, 2019, on Super Bowl Sunday. June was 79 years old and Thomas was 80 years old.

They perished in their Hooksett, N.H., home, where they lived for nearly 42 years on the Merrimack River across from the University of Southern New Hampshire.

They were hard-working and mindful people who were genuine and kind.

They gave selflessly throughout their lives. They embraced love and caring in the purest ways during their nearly 56 years of marriage, having been married on April 27, 1963. They readily shared concern for their family, friends, neighbors, church and community. They were truly the nicest people one could meet.

Before moving to Hooksett, the Cosmas lived in Manchester, N.H. Thomas had grown up on the East Side, graduating from Central High School in 1956. June grew up on the West Side, graduating from West High School in 1957.

Both had retired about a dozen years ago. Thomas was as a journeyman plumber and also worked for Cott Beverages in Manchester and a couple other places after serving in the U.S. Air Force. June's career was primarily spent at Dead River Oil Co., and Pandora Sweaters in Manchester.

They were lifelong Catholics, strong in their faith. While they worshipped at Parish of the Transfiguration (formerly St. John the Baptist, or St. Jean's), they also attended St. Patrick's Church in Manchester.

Thomas was proud to be a Cosma, and June beamed about being a Fortin. Thomas had eight sisters and brothers, June two sisters. Both knew their extended families well.

They were always spending time with family and friends: at the beach or lake; on holidays and special occasions; for cookouts and picnics; on outings; and/or for errands. Anyone who knew the Cosmas saw how much they cared about and loved the children in their lives despite not having any of their own. Many of their nieces and nephews saw them as second parents.

While the Cosmas traveled, visiting Aruba, road-tripping across New England, trekking to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, and Atlantic City, N.J., and attending the West Michigan wedding of one of their great-nephews last September, they were more homespun.

Their two-story home in the woods was their oasis. They had renovated it over the decades from a seasonal retreat into a year-round residence. It seemed like they were always making home improvements.

They enjoyed nights out playing bingo. They relished spending time on their boat and working with their hands; Thomas liked to fish; and June liked excursions for shopping and other pursuits. Both liked to go for walks, particularly around the neighborhood while getting to know their neighbors. Thomas also liked to walk at the mall, either in Bedford or Manchester.

They had simple tastes. While they dined out and enjoyed fried clams, chicken tenders at The Puritan and Greek items from Jimmy's Pizza, they were more about home-cooked meals like Greek recipes with lamb, French-Canadian style baked beans, Schonland's hot dogs and Budweiser beer. Plus, they loved getting fudge at Hampton Beach.

The Cosma's were happy to spend time at home, watching TV or puttering around. NESN, perhaps, their favorite channel. Both were staunch Boston Red Sox fans, and were ecstatic when they won their ninth World Series title last fall. Thomas was a diehard New York Giants NFL fan, which is not easy to do when you're in New England Patriots territory.

They stayed abreast of current events and local news. They were longtime subscribers of The Union-Leader newspaper; listened to music and the radio; and cared about their community.

They were preceded in death by June's parents, Henry and Fernande Fortin; Thomas' parents, Louis and Sarah Cosma; June's sisters, Jacqueline (Fortin) Martinez and Muriel (Fortin) Dion; Thomas' brothers and sisters, Harold Cosma, Michael Cosma, Elsie Cosma, Genevieve "Gen" (Cosma) Moreland, and Joseph Cosma; and five nieces and nephews.

June and Thomas Cosma are survived by three of Thomas' sisters, Louise Quiet, of Manchester N.H., Shirley Landry, of Portsmouth, N.H., and Frances Turmelle, of Sagamore Beach, Mass. They are also survived by 21 nephews and nieces, including Donna Barnicoat, of Cape Coral, Fla.; Daniel Cosma, of Candia, N.H.; Michael Cosma Jr., of Plymouth, N.H.; Renee Cranmer, of Buzzards Bay, Mass.; Paul Dion, of Concord, N.H.; Lisa Filteau, of Bow, N.H.; Patricia Gouin, of Worcester, Mass.; Tim Landry, of Dover, N.H.; Kim Lamoreaux, of Kittery, Maine; Anthony Martinez, of Hampton, N.H.; David Martinez, of Leland, N.C.; Richard Martinez, of Jenison, Mich.; Sharyn Moreland, of Estero, Fla.; Robin Noyes, of Kittery, Maine; Diane Page, of Florida; Dorothy Pigeon, of San Diego; Kim Prince, of Concord, N.H.; Wayne Quiet, of Manchester, N.H. Kathy Robitaille, of Manchester, N.H.; Gary Turmelle, of Wayland, Mass.; and Jeffrey Turmelle, of Nyack. N.Y.; and several great-nephews and –nieces.

Calling hours will be held at Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematoriums on Sunday April 7th from 2-5 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 8th at 10 AM at Parish of the Transfiguration, 107 Alsace Street, Manchester. Burial with military honors will follow at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen.

Memorial contributions can be made to Parish of the Transfiguration or the Merrimack River Watershed Council in lieu of flowers.