Funeral Mass for the Repose of the soul of Josephine Alvarez Cosio, 93 of Tampa, will be Celebrated Friday. Mrs. Cosio was born March 19, 1906 (St. Joseph's Day) in Ponga Austurias, Spain. The daughter of Manuel & Maria Alvarez, a farming family from Spain, she immigrated through Ellis Island around 1910. She was a lifelong resident of Tampa. She and her family worked in the cigar factories. Her brother Manuel Diaz was a Merchant Seaman and her brother Louis Alvarez an auto worker in Detroit. She was married to Jose G. Cosio and they raised 2 sons; Jose B. Cosio and Carl W. Cosio. She was preceded in death by her husband Jose, and eldest son Jose. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Manuel and sister Clementina Valdez (1905-1960), and her cousin Amelia Cadrecha, Tampa's first woman detective. She is survived by her son Carl, brother Luis Alvarez, nephews; nieces. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews in Asturias, Spain. A cousin Afelia Rodriguez of Tampa also survives her. Mrs. Cosio was a devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she sang and played the piano. An active supporter of St. Vincent De Paul Charity and MacDill AFB World Charity. As a result of her charitable efforts her youngest son, Carl, helped in the middle 70's with the West Tampa Lions Club. Carl most recently assisted Joe Fernandez with clearing and repair of vandalized property at Centro Asturiano Cemetery. Her charitable influence over her eldest son Jose led him to complete the mortgage payments on the family home for 3 years to avoid foreclosure. This was necessary after the closing of the Cigar Factories made economic times very hard for the family. Carl was in the 10th grade at the time and pumped gas on weekends to get lunch money. When unable to pump gas he washed dishes at the old Carmine's Restaurant. He changed tires for Alex Vechio and Ralph Cosio, Jr. After Mrs. Cosio was robbed and injured on her 70th birthday, both Jose and Carl left their jobs to care for her for 6 months. Mrs. Cosio worked two jobs most of her life to assist her husband in paying for their son Jose's college education. Jose watched his younger brother during the summer to allow Josephine to work. She enjoyed activities involving Art Painting, Gardening, Sewing, Reading Poetry and psychology. She enjoyed playing piano at Centro Asturiano events. Some of her favorite songs were: 'The Star Spangled Banner', 'Una Noche Fria', 'Silent Night' 'Esla Mar Que Hay Tranquilla' and La Palmona Blanca. She completed 8th grade at St. Joseph School and then went on to Buffalo Vocational school. Her dedication for family showed when she and her brother Manuel sold their rental property to send money to Spain to the farming family who had no modern utilities or public transportation to assist them. She will be missed by her closest neighbors, She will most be remembered for her laughter and smile. She always had a song in her heart. She was caring and giving to family and friends, neighbors and the needy. Her most famous statement was "I Love You" Salur Best of Health, Amor Love always and Peseta Money is your life.

The Tampa Tribune - 18 Nov 1999, Thu

w/o Jose G. Cosio
d/o Manuel and Maria (Diaz) Alvarez