Bernard Cossean Sr

Bernard V. Cossean Sr., 85, of Tottenville, a World War II veteran and retired city firefighter, died Friday at home.

Born in Rossville, he moved to Charleston in 1952 and to Tottenville in 1998.

A graduate of Tottenville High School, he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving aboard the USS Hannis Taylor.

Mr. Cossean was a New York City firefighter for 33 years. He spent the last 25 years of his career at the 23rd Battalion in Great Kills, retiring in 1988.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, and playing golf and bowling. As a young adult, he played on the White House softball team. He was a parishioner of St. Joseph R.C. Church, Rossville.

He was man who always put others above himself. He treated people with patience, kindness and respect, said his daughter, Pamela Rizzo.

His wife of 46 years, Anastasia, died in 1998.

In addition to his daughter, Pamela, surviving are a son, Bernard Jr.; two more daughters, Tammy Cossean and Janice Sypniewski; two brothers, Richard and Donald; two sisters, Eileen Gaul and Nancy Perry, and seven grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Services: Tuesday July 17,2012 a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St Joseph's R.C. Church, Rossville. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Visitation: Sunday July 15,2012 7-9 PM Monday July 16,2012 2-4 7-9PM

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Joseph's RC Church-Rossville