Bernard M. “Bernie” Kosc
August 27, 1941 - August 15, 2023
Bernard M. “Bernie” Kosc, age 81, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
Born in Northampton, PA, on August 27, 1941, he was a son of the late Joseph Thomas and Anna Josephine (Shettler) Kosc. Bernie made his career as a dedicated music teacher at Maynard High School in Massachusetts, as well as Christina School District in Delaware, spanning over 35 years until his retirement. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather.
In addition to his parents, Bernie was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Kosc and Thomas Kosc; and grandson, Bryan Joseph Kosc. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra L. (Kmiec) Kosc; children, Thomas J. Kosc, Stephen M. Kosc (Renee), and Andrew B. Kosc; and 7 grandchildren.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at Holy Family R.C. Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bernie’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Fran Foley
Andy and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know I am praying and sending love to you all.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Elba Keirn and Ada Diaz
Andy and family.
Mom and I are so sorry for your loss. You all have our deepest condolences and prayers. Thinking of you and the family during this difficult time, and sending love and hugs.
Gary Borgman
Aunt Sandy, cousins Tommy, Stevey, and Andy. So many memories just came flooding back. Playing at the lake in NH, going to my first Red Sox game at Fenway. A train trip to Delaware for time at Rehoboth Beach, Embarrassing Sandy as I said hello to everyone. Also MONSTER passion for music. Sucks that as the oldest cousin I can’t imagine truly your loss.
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My Love for you is here all, now.
.
Fred Biletnikoff was playing with the Pats while we watched TV at the lake. Your Dad would go on about him, as I remember. So cool.
.
Hugs all. G
Darcell Dowling
My deepest condolences to the family. So Sorry for your loss. 💐💐💐💐
Rev 21:3 ,4
Martha Lindquist Burke
I remember Bernie as a great friend, a highly respected phenomenal music teacher and colleague, and an expert woodwind instrument repairman. My son studied trombone with Mr. Kosc for three years at Bayard School and loved his time in lessons and band. Any child/student who studied with Mr. Kosc absolutely adored him. I consider it an honor to have known and taught with Bernie for many years in the Newark and Christina School Districts. I extend my sincere sympathy and condolences to Sandra and the entire family. The world is losing a very fine gentleman way too early.
Sincerely and respectfully submitted,
Marty Lindquist Burke
Healey & Mike Stepanic
We are so sad to hear of Bernie’s passing. You are all surrounded by love & support from friends & family to lean & share memories ❤️
Claire Priester
My husband relied on Bernie for 25+ years to do the upkeep on his clarinets and saxophones. I came to think of Bernie as an important member of the family. We will miss him. Our deepest sympathies to his family for this profound loss.
Jim Mahoney
Bernie’s family, so sorry about your loss. Taught at Bayard when Bernie was teaching. He was an amazing teacher and I am positive got the most from his students. His concerts with such a young group of musicians was unbelievable. He was fantastic in the way he selected music they enjoyed plus getting them involved with older styles they would never hear. Besides his gift of relating to his pupils, he always made people feel good just talking to him. Great sense of humor and a very nice man. It was a pleasure knowing him.
Karen Skurla
Bernie was the best music teacher my son had at Bayard and private lessons. I also had the privilege of working with him when I substitute taught at Bayard. Many prayers for all.
Lisa Sweder
Our father, Phil Taylor, enjoyed his friendship with Bernie for many years and often spoke of his admiration and appreciation not only of Bernie’s musicianship but also of his warmth, kindness, and sense of humor. We are so sorry for your loss and send you our deepest condolences.
With sympathy,
Lisa Taylor Sweder, Joanne Taylor Shurtleff and Julie Taylor Hiatt
Edward Fick
My condolences to Sandra and Bernie’s family. I only got to know Bernie in recent years when he worked on my oboes. He was a caring, kind and talented individual. It was an honor to know him, if even for a short time.
Mark Taylor and Joan Taylor
To the Kosc family,
Mark and I are so sorry to learn of your father’s passing. Mark’s memories are strong indeed.
Mark and Joan Taylor
Mary Alice Hinerman
Bernie was a friend and colleague of mine when we taught together at Kirk Middle School. He was an excellent teacher and I enjoyed working with him. He was kind, caring, and had a good sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Eileen Grycky
I am so very sorry to learn of the loss of dear Bernie Kosc. He was always so kind and helpful to many of my flute students. Prayers and condolences to his family.
Doreen Sonchen Conard
To the Family of Bernie Kosc: I knew Bernie at Bayard Middle School where he taught instrumental music and did a fantastic job. My daughter said, “I had so much fun in band with Mr. Kosc.” That tells you how much his students revered him. I was a “one-day-a-week” music teacher who used the music room near his band practice rooms. We had occasion to get a little bit acquainted (we were both very busy with students). He was always friendly and smiled a lot, which endeared him to the children. The music teachers all thought very well of Bernie, and his students learned a lot from him. God bless you all. Doreen Sonchen Conard
Sylvia Williamson
Our son, Kurt Williamson, was a student of Mr. Kosc when he was in 4th grade at Bayard School. Mr. Kosc let him take home a Sousa phone and that started a love of music for Kurt. He ended up playing the tuba in the marching band at Newark High School and again in the marching band at the University of Delaware. We owe it all to Mr. Kosc who started the ball rolling. Kurt is away on a camping trip right now but would have attended the funeral if he had been here. I might mention that Kurt is now 47 and still has those fond memories of Mr. Kosc.
Chuck and Irene Staropoli
Dear Sandy, Tom, Stephen, Andy and families,
We were saddened to learn of Bernie’s passing.
We remember him as a man of integrity, a man of faith who
loved his family, his music and his students.
Our prayers are with you all. The Staropoli Family
Sally Cornell
Dear Sandra,
All the years I came to see Bernie for help with my oboe, his and your graciousness always struck me as well as his amazing skill and wonderful advice. I am saddened to hear of Bernie’s passing, and my deepest condolences to your and your wonderful family. Sally Cornell
Susan Ryan
Bernie has a special place in my heart. When I was teaching at Bayard, I mentioned to him that I used to play the flute! Within a week we were staying after school to play duets…and he allowed me to practice in his “practice room” at the school during my lunch break! He was so encouraging and supportive, always asking me if I practiced…and what groups I was joining for music. He rekindled my love of music and the flute!
Thanks dear Bernie!! Susan Ryan
Cynthia Stahl
I’m so sorry to hear about Bernie’s passing. I only knew him as a kind hearted gentleman who happened to repair my flutes. His repairs made me sound better than I am. I loved talking with him when I dropped off and picked up my flute as he was full of stories and curiosity about music and teaching music. I will miss this wonderful man. I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a blessing.
Rick Hirsch
I’m terribly sorry for your loss. I remember being in a saxophone lesson with him in 5th grade at Palmer in Wilmington. He took out his horn and played “Benny Hill” (Yakety Sax). It was all my friend John and I could do to not wet our pants. It was brilliant! What an inspiration he was to us. (40+ years later I’m still active in music full time doing, among other things, teaching saxophone lessons).
I always try to be as inspiring and as kind as he was. He touched countless young people years — what a life well lived.
May his memory be a blessing.
Paula Horner
I was so sad to see this. Mr Kosc taught me how to play the the flute and I stayed with it for years. The highlight of middle school was band with him So sorry for your loss but memories will keep us strong hugs
Norma Jean lind
A beloved music teacher. My children still talk about him with reverence.