FAREWELL


If I die, leave the balcony open.



Kittery Point - If the challenge was behind a closed door he never failed to open it. Gene Cosloy of Kittery Point, Maine, died on November 5, ending a seven-year fisticuffs with multiple myeloma. Between relapses, he plateaued, soared and did many of the things that gave his life purpose and joy. Kayaking, with his Ocean's 11 buddies, in the waters off the coast of Massachusetts and Maine, cycling to New Castle for a brief outing, packing up his photography gear to document the natural beauty of Fort Foster, swimming three times weekly regardless of his loss of stamina at the local Y, he persevered.

Home life was at times limiting, but his love of writing political screeds, reading, opera, animated conversations, and love of his wife, Lois, dog Sasha and visits from his daughter, Rebecca and son Gerard rounded out a life well lived.

Gene wore many hats; a graduate of Marietta College, he went on to Columbia to study philosophy, rather than attending medical school, which had been an outwardly imposed family "plan". He then spent 5 years as a teacher of advanced chemistry, and biology, at a variety of private and public schools. Enamored with teaching yet disenchanted by its constraints, he found an opening, in what was then a new burgeoning field of computer science, writing software. It was an uneasy fit, and at the age of 47, he retired becoming a self taught master craftsman; specializing in handmade Shaker reproductions.

He quickly gained recognition with his work appearing in national magazines, his pieces showcased in the famed Round Stone  Barn at Hancock Shaker Village. Private commissions sustained him when he decided to open a retail business, Great Meadows Joinery, specializing in 18th and 19th century reproduction furniture, pottery, and folk art…. a composite of beauty from artisans throughout the country. From the first shop in Wayland, Massachusetts, to the final location in Concord, Massachusetts, Gene continued to blend his varied interests with his customers, forming friendships. No subject was beyond commentary. His opinions were never predictable, his feelings never couched.

With weeks to live but characteristically undaunted he decided to take classical guitar lessons and sought out a guitar and teacher. The guitar, now his, sits waiting for his hands to open the case.

A celebration of Gene's life will take place in late spring. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com. Care for the Cosloy family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.