Gary Cossetta

W ith profound sadness we announce the passing of Gary C. Cossetta, our loving and devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to all, on July 2, 2022 at the age of 77. Gary is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Frieda, wife Carole, grandson Travis, brother Richard (Teddy) and previous wife Sandy. Gary is survived by children Delwin (Anjel), Arlet, Annett (John) and Carrie; stepson Timothy (Ashley); grandchildren Brandon, Mandria (Michael), Hailey, Dayna, Gary Jr., Angelina (Jomarie), David Jr., Valencia and Annie; Siblings Frank (Karen), Michael (Carol) and Nancy (David); 11 great-grandchildren Ethan, Amelia, Caitlyn, Zola, Sweet Lou, Miles, Thomas, Oliver, Nathaniel, David Jr. and Li’Jan; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Gary was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 28, 1944, to Father Frank Cossetta and Mother Frieda Cossetta (Maahs). Gary enjoyed climbing the bluffs and fishing with his friends and siblings. He helped his parents at the family deli, Cossetta, in Irvine Park located in downtown St. Paul. Gary liked to mention that he was an altar boy at Holy Redeemer Church and his faith was important to him. Gary went to Cathedral Grade School and graduated from Monroe High School. Shortly after graduation he was drafted during the Vietnam War from 1965-1967. He attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri then Fort Knox Kentucky for further training in tanks. He was stationed in Freiburg, Germany. He met his first wife Sandy Hammond shortly after returning home and married in October 1967. They shared three children together: Delwin, Arlet and Annett. He met his second wife Carole Freier and they married in December 1974. He gained a stepson Timothy and they had their daughter Carrie together. Gary worked in the printing industry at Web Publishing, Flour City Packaging and retired from Pioneer Packaging. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, going to the cabin in Lindstrom, fishing, playing bocce ball, going to his favorite spots for pull tabs, meat raffles and arcade video bowling, playing cribbage, joking around and eating sweets. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, strength, positivity, caring nature, faith and many more great attributes. Gary will be greatly missed and remembered by his family, friends and everyone he encountered.

9 AM visitation and 10 AM mass on July 29, 2022 at Church of the Assumption, 51 7th St. W., St. Paul, MN. Celebration of Life following mass. A special thanks to the Minneapolis VAMC, especially Ward 1D, St. Cloud VAMC, U of M Clinic and Hospital for all of the love, support and care provided over the years.