Last week, the journalism community lost one of its brightest stars–longtime ABC News anchorman Peter Jennings. A few days earlier, another consummate journalist passed away who was a giant in his own right within the world of insurance–John Cosgrove, 93, former editor of National Underwriter.
He joined NU the year I was born–1958–and retired in 1976, five years before I came on board. However, John continued writing for us for years after he stepped down as editor, and I often had the privilege of editing his lively op-ed column.
While never mean-spirited, John did not suffer fools gladly and regularly took to task those who gave the business a bad name. I can only imagine how expertly he would have sliced and diced those guilty of the abuses uncovered by Eliot Spitzer.
John had a tremendous respect for this business but always took it with a grain of salt. Any time money is at stake, he warned me, scoundrels are never far away. But he also recognized the tremendous good done by the industry and the vital role insurers and agents play in society.
Tom Slattery, my own longtime editor-in-chief, who accepted the Golden Torch award on John's behalf from the Insurance Marketing Communications Association in 1994, called John "the acknowledged dean of American insurance journalists."
"We'll remember, with abiding affection and deep admiration, his warmth, his wit, and his wisdom–qualities he shared with new generations of journalists long after his 'retirement.' Of course, we'll remember as well, with high humor, his curmudgeonly, irascible, often sarcastic side," Tom noted.
"John was an original–singular, exceptional, irreplaceable. He was, in a word, unforgettable," he added.
My former managing editor, Tom Maher, said that "while we mourn those who have passed on, we especially remember those who always left us laughing. At the top of the list is John Cosgrove." Tom raved about John's writing skill, calling him "one of the best wordsmiths who ever came down the pike," but he also cited his whimsical nature.
"Visiting John's office was like a trip to Disney World," he said. "There were cartoons and toys everywhere, his and everyone's favorite being a duck located near the ceiling. In quick order, he'd pull it down with a string to surprise and delight visitors," mimicking the behavior of his favorite comic and social critic, Groucho Marx–who John actually resembled.
My former right hand and assistant managing editor, David Katz, now deputy editor at cfo.com, said he recalled John Cosgrove as "a gentle soul, very kind to young reporters like you and me…He was a great wit and mimic, sometimes resembling a sweeter version of W.C. Fields. Most of all, of course, he was the best stylist this business has known–the Red Smith of the insurance trade press."
There are dozens of others who would no doubt love to sing John's praises, but this sampling must suffice. All I can add is that the insurance industry was lucky to have a person of John's grace, integrity and insight keeping an eye on the business for so many years. His imagination, intelligence, guts and good humor set the standard for insurance journalists. I'm honored to have been even a small part of his great life.
Our condolences to his family, including his son, John–an underwriter
at Juniper Reinsurance Services–who has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations in his dad's memory be sent to Xaverian High School at 7100 Shore Road, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11209.
(Sam Friedman is Editor-In-Chief Of NU.)
with Cosgrove's mug:
Former NU editor John Cosgrove, pictured here in his op-ed column drawing, set the standard for all insurance journalists with his imagination, intelligence, integrity, guts and good humor.
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