MONTPELIER, VT - (James) Brian Cosgrove, 70, of Naples, Florida and Montpelier, died Sunday, Sept 25, 2016 at the McClure Miller VNA Respite House after a recent diagnosis of cancer. Brian died peacefully with dignity and grace with his family by his side. Brian was born on August 13, 1946 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He was the son of G. Emmett and Charlene (Branon) Cosgrove. He was raised in Woodsville, New Hampshire. Brian's personality was a perfect blend of Cosgrove and Branon. His character and flavor combined Irish wit, loyalty and humor with culture, refinement and gravitas. He had amazing political instincts and was the master of colorful metaphors. He had an unmistakable hearty laugh that was contagious and heartfelt. He was enormously protective of those who needed caring and help. Brian graduated from St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vermont with a Bachelor's degree in English. He had a love for the English word and journalism and was a gifted writer. In 1969 Brian entered the US Army and served with the 4th Infantry in Vietnam. He was evacuated due to injuries received in combat and finished his service at Ft. Monroe, VA as a Public Affairs officer, writing for the 3rd Division newspaper. Following his military service, Brian and his wife Kay Towers and son Brendan moved to Orlando, Florida and then back to Woodsville, NH where Brian worked as a reporter for the Journal-Opinion and the Caledonian Record. In 1971 Brian and his family moved to the Boston area where he pursued a Master's in Education at Boston University and worked as a teacher for the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services helping juveniles in maximum security institutions. In 1977 Brian moved back to Vermont residing in the Northeast Kingdom and then the Montpelier area where he worked for the Department of Corrections on a training grant providing innovative program development for juvenile group homes around the State and assisting with the closing of the Weeks School. In 1984 he began his political career during the Vermont gubernatorial primary as the campaign manager for Hilton Wick. In 1983 Brian married Susan Crampton and lived in Middlesex; they later divorced. He worked for International Coins & Currency from 1985-1988. In 1988, Brian became the Executive Director of the Vermont Republican Party and held the position for 7 years organizing, recruiting and assisting candidates seeking office. During his tenure, the Republicans regained control of the Senate. Brian was a familiar and respected figure in the Vermont Statehouse and political scene for many years. In 1997 Brian took a position at Entergy Vermont Yankee, and had a successful 15-year career as Manager of Government Affairs. Brian was highly regarded by the VY community and many local business and community members. He represented VY and its employees with competence, honesty and integrity. He loved a challenge and was devoted to any project he was involved in. He was a skillful and creative communicator, with a unique ability to bring divergent and competing interests together. He retired from Entergy in 2012, but maintained and savored the multitude of relationships built along the way. His fierce loyalty to friends, familyand business associates was complete. Brian achieved and enjoyed 28 years of sobriety, crediting AA for saving his life, and he helped many others along the way. "Don't drink and go to meetings," was a mantra he lived by and prescribed to others in a loving and caring manner. Brian maintained friendships from all periods in his life, recently rekindling ties with high school friends. He loved people, parties and politics and regaled us all with his conversation, story-telling, and good Irish humor! He was a voracious reader and could expound on any topic, from Civil War history to rare coins, Mid-East cultures, and energy politics. He was a great mentor and teacher to those around him. He had a huge heart and took care of his family and friends without hesitation. His loyalty, mentoring and kindness were done with humor and humility. His generosity was unsurpassed. Brian enjoyed traveling to warmer climates in the winter, including trips with his son and grandchildren to Mexico and the Caribbean as well as spending time at his condo in Florida. Most of all, without exception, he enjoyed and cherished his family and will be dearly missed. Survivors include his son Brendan Cosgrove and three granddaughters, Emma, Maggie and Nora Cosgrove; a brother, Dermot Cosgrove of Ruskin, Florida, formerly of Burlington, Vermont; a sister (Mary) Maude Cosgrove Chater and brother in-law Mike Chater of Montpelier; nephews Ben Chater of Winooski and Emmett Cosgrove of Burlington; and numerous Branon and Cosgrove cousins. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, October 7 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza in Montpelier. Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.