Daniel Cosgrove
Born in November 1917, Daniel Cosgrove is a life-long resident of Branford and has spent his life advocating and promoting the betterment of Branford and its citizens. A graduate of the Branford Public Schools, Dan became a prizefighter in the mid- 1930s when prize fighting was at its peak. His middleweight career included thirty-six fights with only three defeats. In 1940, he invested in a second-hand grader to do small contracting jobs and within two years had acquired sixteen pieces of heavy equipment and the Cosgrove Construction Company was born. Well known for his local, state, and national political activities, Dan has also received recognition for his many contributions to the town's sports programs but until now has not been acknowledged for his commitments in the field of education.
He has contributed his time, money, expertise, and resources to the promotion of education throughout the region. Among his numerous accomplishments were the first tennis courts at Branford High School. Not only was he instrumental in getting the project started, but he also donated money toward the construction of the courts and the initial site work preparation. In the early 1960s, he was a major contributor to the construction of St. Mary's school, not only serving on the building committee but also donating money to its construction. Again, Dan had his construction company do all the site work on the project gratis.
In the late 1960s Dan once again gave of his time, talents, and money to the building of the Walsh Intermediate School. He was instrumental in securing state funds for the purchase of land off Damascus Road and for the design and construction of the school. He was an integral member of a building committee for a school that won national acclaim for its innovative design.
Dan was the major benefactor of Albertus Magnus College in the 1990s as he contributed millions of dollars toward the construction of the new sports facility that bears his name. Once again he donated, through his construction company, hundreds of man-hours to the building of this facility.
These are but a few examples of Dan's contributions to education in the area, but there are other less publicized deeds he has performed to help promote it. He has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to higher education in the area. Southern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Albertus Magnus, Providence College, and the University of New Haven regularly receive contributions from Dan Cosgrove. He has set up numerous scholarships for Branford High graduates. Many institutions of higher learning have recognized him, receiving the Veritas Award from Providence College and an Honorary Doctorate from Albertus Magnus. He is also a member of the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame and the Branford Education Hall of Fame and was named Branford Review citizen of the year, among many other honors. His civic and charitable affiliations range from Democratic Town Committee, Democratic State Central Committee, and the State Constitutional Convention to the Elm City Boxing Club and Connecticut Boxing Guild to the Knights of Columbus, which bestowed on him the Carrollton Award, its highest and most coveted honor. Until her death in 1992, Dan was married for fifty-three years to the former Alice E. Brown, also a Branford native, and is the father of daughter Susan and sons Daniel and Mark.
Certainly, no one in Branford has contributed more time and money to Branford education than Dan Cosgrove. His passion for education, along with his numerous other contributions, is truly impressive.
He has contributed his time, money, expertise, and resources to the promotion of education throughout the region. Among his numerous accomplishments were the first tennis courts at Branford High School. Not only was he instrumental in getting the project started, but he also donated money toward the construction of the courts and the initial site work preparation. In the early 1960s, he was a major contributor to the construction of St. Mary's school, not only serving on the building committee but also donating money to its construction. Again, Dan had his construction company do all the site work on the project gratis.
In the late 1960s Dan once again gave of his time, talents, and money to the building of the Walsh Intermediate School. He was instrumental in securing state funds for the purchase of land off Damascus Road and for the design and construction of the school. He was an integral member of a building committee for a school that won national acclaim for its innovative design.
Dan was the major benefactor of Albertus Magnus College in the 1990s as he contributed millions of dollars toward the construction of the new sports facility that bears his name. Once again he donated, through his construction company, hundreds of man-hours to the building of this facility.
These are but a few examples of Dan's contributions to education in the area, but there are other less publicized deeds he has performed to help promote it. He has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to higher education in the area. Southern Connecticut State University, Central Connecticut State University, Albertus Magnus, Providence College, and the University of New Haven regularly receive contributions from Dan Cosgrove. He has set up numerous scholarships for Branford High graduates. Many institutions of higher learning have recognized him, receiving the Veritas Award from Providence College and an Honorary Doctorate from Albertus Magnus. He is also a member of the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame and the Branford Education Hall of Fame and was named Branford Review citizen of the year, among many other honors. His civic and charitable affiliations range from Democratic Town Committee, Democratic State Central Committee, and the State Constitutional Convention to the Elm City Boxing Club and Connecticut Boxing Guild to the Knights of Columbus, which bestowed on him the Carrollton Award, its highest and most coveted honor. Until her death in 1992, Dan was married for fifty-three years to the former Alice E. Brown, also a Branford native, and is the father of daughter Susan and sons Daniel and Mark.
Certainly, no one in Branford has contributed more time and money to Branford education than Dan Cosgrove. His passion for education, along with his numerous other contributions, is truly impressive.