"Dear Shirley and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Tracy's passing. I have just received the announcement as I have been having alot trouble with my e-mail. I am so sorry and feel terrible that I missed his funeral. Please accept my deepest sympathy. We must keep in touch Shirley. Much Love, Tanya"
In loving memory of
Tracy Monroe Kosoff
May 10, 1936 - March 10, 2003
PORTSMOUTH ? Retired Navy Captain Tracy Monroe Kosoff, 66, of 78 Fischer Circle, Portsmouth, RI 02871, died Monday, March 10, 2003 at home, following a courageous four year battle with cancer. He was the husband of Shirley Hatfield Kosoff. They were married on December 9, 1962 at the United States Coast Guard Academy Chapel in New London, Connecticut. They have resided in Portsmouth since 1982.Born in Hoquiam, Washington on May 10, 1936, he was the son of the late Monroe M. and Eileen Mooney Kosoff. He graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1954. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland and was a member of the graduating Class of 1958.Captain Kosoff?s distinguished thirty-year naval career was dedicated to the submarine force. His first assignment in the Navy, after graduation from the Naval Academy was aboard the destroyer USS Higbee. In 1960, he was designated as a Qualified Submariner after completing training at the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut. He served aboard the USS Irex until 1962. In 1964, he became Weapons Officer for Submarine Squadron Two. He then reported to the Naval Submarine School Staff, serving as the Director of the Weapons Division until reporting to the USS Cusk in 1966. In 1968, he became Executive Officer of the USS Halfbeak until 1970 when he was assigned to the Operations and Plans Division of the Staff of the Commander Submarine Force of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. In 1972, Captain Kosoff assumed command of the USS Tigrone, a fleet submarine engaged in acoustical research. In 1974, he returned to the staff of Submarine School as Director of Advanced Tactics. In January 1975, he assumed command of the diesel attack submarine USS Clamagore until its decommissioning. Captain Kosoff was again assigned to Submarine School as the Director of the Security Assistance Training Department to develop and direct training and certification of a foreign submarine training program.In 1977, he became Chief Staff Officer and Operations Officer of Submarine Squadron Two, a command unit composed of 11 nuclear powered attack submarines, a nuclear powered research submarine and a submarine rescue ship. His additional duties as Command Foreign Training Officer and meritorious leadership resulted in the certification and transfer of two U.S. Navy diesel submarines to foreign governments. In 1981, Captain Kosoff reported to the Naval War College in Newport as a student. He graduated in 1982, receiving an Academic Masters Degree in the College of Naval Warfare. From 1982 to 1984 he served as Director of the Computer Systems Department at the Naval War College Center for War Gaming. He retired from active duty on June 30, 1984. He also received a Master of Science Degree in Management from Salve Regina University in 1984.Captain Kosoffs military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star and the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation and other meritorious service citations.Following his retirement from the US Navy, he embarked on a second career in the defense contracting industry in the Newport area. He was associated with Ocean Technology Incorporated/Whittaker Corporation from 1984 until 1995, as a Program Manager and then becoming Branch Manager. For the past eight years, he has been a Program Manager with McLaughlin Research Corporation in Middletown.When his sons were young, he was actively involved in Cub Scouts, Youth Baseball Leagues and Youth Football Leagues, holding various volunteer leadership roles. An avid golfer, he was a member of Fall River Country Club, Fall River, Massachusetts. He was also a member of the Charity and Relief Lodge of Masons, Mystic, Connecticut and a member of the New London Chapter 58 National Sojourners, New London, Connecticut.In addition to his wife of forty-years, he leaves two sons and daughters-in-law, Monte T. and Lisa C. Kosoff of Portsmouth and Keith S. and Karen M. Kosoff of Portsmouth; four grandchildren, Arianna Lynn Kosoff, Aleksander Keith Kosoff, Mikaela Arianna Kosoff and Jenna Tracy Kosoff, all of Portsmouth. Two brothers also survive him, Larry R. Kosoff of Grapeview, Washington and Marshall H. Kosoff of Auburn, Washington. A funeral service in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at 2 p.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church, 1 Queen Anne Square, Newport, Rhode Island. A Committal Service will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 1 p.m. in Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia followed by Interment with Full Military Honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Calling hours will be held in Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth on Friday, March 21, 2003 from 4-8 p.m. For information or directions: www.memorialfuneralhome.com. Donations in his memory may be made to The American Cancer Society, 222 Richmond Street, Suite 200, Providence, RI 02903.
Tributes
"To the Kosoff Family - We wanted to again extend our sympathy for your loss. Although we have never met Tracy we feel like we've come to know him through hearing stories from Monte and knowing Monte and his family. They are a true reflection of a great man who accomplished so much and always held FAMILY as the utmost importance. Your family planned such a beautiful funeral service in celebration of his fantastic life. You continue to be in our prayers. Alicia, Mark and Caleb Cranston"
"Very sorry to hear about captain Kosoff I met him abord the Tigrone I was a E1 and he was captain but we were both from Washington state. I was proud to serve with him. Tim Ultican En2ss"
"Tracy Kosoff was my Co on Clamagore. After we both retired and would see each other in the "contractor" world we would share fond memories. He will be missed. "Sailor Rest Your Oar""
"I am deeply saddened to hear of Tracy's passing. I was a student in Officers basic class 127 when Tracy was a Weapons Division Instructor. I was Operations Officer aboard Tigrone when Tracy assumed command and was discharged while Tigrone was in the shipyard in July 72. Tracy was a truly dedicated officer and friend. He will be missed."
"Captain Kosoff was one of the best C.O.s I served with in a 21 year career in submarines and targets. He knew just how much rein and how much freedom a fresh-faced EN2SS needed to thrive. I never saw him after leaving the Tigrone, but thought of him often, and tried to emulate his leadership style. He will be missed, but he carries on in the hearts of those who knew him."
"First, my sincere condolences to Tracy's entire family. I first met Tracy in 1997 when he was providing support to the NUWC Safety and Occupational Health Division. We never had the opportunity to speak at length, but I could tell that he was a kind, honorable, humble person. I wish I had known that he was a fellow submariner...I know that we could have traded many sea stories. In the recent months, I ran into Tracy pretty regularly at the Naval Station Commissary. He was ALWAYS upbeat, happy and seemed anxious to get back to work. One memory that stands out is Christmas cards... I NEVER received a Christmas card from Tracy's company in the mail...it was ALWAYS delivered to me in person including this past Christmas by Tracy, with a cheery, "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Ted". I feel fortunate to have known him, even though not for a long time. I can see him smiling now and will always remember him...his Spirit definitely left an impression on me. May God Bless!"
"Shirley, Monte, Keith & Family: We are all thinking about you and have wonderful memories of Tracy. I feel so blessed to have been able to spend the last few years really getting to know him. He made an impression on me that is not to be forgotten! I'll always think of his generosity and Kosoff sense of humor. I'm thinking of you!"
"I want to express my sympathy to the Kosoff Family. I didn't know Tracy personally, but I consider his niece Tonya one of my closest friends. From reading the memorial, the posts thus far and hearing about "Uncle Tracy" from Tonya, it is apparent to me that he was truly a great person, he touched many lives and will be sorely missed. To Larry and Darlene, my prayers to you, Zan, Kylynn and Tonya. To The RI Kosoffs may you be blessed and may the peace of the Lord be with you in your time of sorrow. Sincerely, Lisa A. Nunnally"
"I served under Captain Kosoff on the Tigrone. He was greatly admired by the crew. I'm truly sorry to hear of his passing."
"Shirley, Monte, Keith & Families: I am deeply saddened by Tracy's passing, but while reading other friends and family members sharing their memories, I realized how very much he touched those around him. I am thankful for getting to know him these past few years and I will miss him beyond words."
"I was saddened by the passing of Capt. Kosoff. I served under his command aboard the Tigrone. He will be missed."
"I knew Tracy through Monte, Lisa and the kids. And although we only saw each other a few times one of the things I remember most was the twinkle in his eyes. When he saw those grandkids he just lit up. His relationship with Shirley and the boys is something I both admired and loved. I feel very blessed to have known Tracy. He had a wonderful life and you built a wonderful family. I am so sorry for your loss. Love, Dayna Foster"
"Dear Shirley and family; May I relay to you my great sorrow at the passing of Tracy. His friendship, loyalty and resourcefullness, were always a sounding point to me, both while with him at the War College and finally at McLaughlin. While I know his loss is difficult, I know that he is in a better place, looking down and smiling at all of us making a fuss over him. Again my deepest sympathy to you and your family."
"Dear Shirley & Family: I was shocked and saddened by Tracy's passing. Many years ago I applied for a job at NUWC through Tracy. I didn't get the job, but he remembered me and everytime he saw me at the grocery store he always smiled and said hello."
"Shirley and Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you through these saddened times. Tracy was a great brother and a pillar of strength to the entire Kosoff family. His parting will leave an emptiness in all of us."
"Shirley and family: Susan and I send our deepest condolences. Tracy was not only a Brother Sojourner but a Mentor. We buried my son Christopher, off Tigrone when he was CO. and he was always there for advice and guidance as Chief of Staff at Squdron -2 when I was CO of Waterford. He will always have a special place in our hearts and memories. Some of our finest memories were at the venerable Officers Club with Dick Guidas and our other DBF Friends. May the supreme Commander grant you peace in this trying time"
"Dear Shirley&Family, we are so sorry to hear about Tracy, our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Fondly, Bob&Marlene Ridley"
"Dear Monte, Lisa & Family, We're sorry to hear about your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Sincerely, The Pergolizzi's"
"Dearest Shirley and family, We send our deepest condolences. The times we spent with you and Tracy are some of the best times of our lives. We will remember you in our prayers and will constantly remember the happier days and the wonderful Tracy "smile"...Love from Vern and Sandy Young"