By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – A World War II veteran and active community volunteer Joseph M. Cosentino has died at age 89.

Cosentino was an extremely active member of the community who could be found lending a hand at nearly any community event, according to former Ogdensburg Mayor William Nelson.

“I don’t think there is a single organization or event in the city of Ogdensburg that Joe did not lend a hand to help,” he said. “He always made himself available and if something was asked of Joe he always said yes. Big or small, it was all important to Joe and he would show up no questions asked.”

Nelson said losing someone like Cosentino leaves a hole in the community that can’t be refilled.

“You just don’t come across people like Joe that often. He was part of the fabric of this community. He spent his entire life working to make Ogdensburg a better place,” he said.

Nelson said Cosentino gave tirelessly when the city fought to keep the prisons from closing and again in the fight to keep the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center from closing. He aided in the Seaway Festival and the Ogdensburg Expo, but he was also active in local veterans and senior groups and served as voice for his peers.

“Joe was very young for his age. He was passionate and he would get invested in causes, but he didn’t get emotional. He didn’t get angry. He was just a great advocate for the community,” Nelson said.

He entered the US Navy during WWII, and was stationed on the USS Randolph Aircraft Carrier as a Navy Seaman Second Class.

He later married Julia M. Cosentino May 22, 1948 at the St. Cecilia Church in Solvay.

During his career, he operated a food wagon in the Ogdensburg Industrial Park, drove a truck for General Electric and worked as a counselor at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center until his retirement in 1983.

He was a grand knight with the K of C, a trustee for AmVets, a Seaway Festival Committee member, first vice-president of Fort La Presentation, president of CSEA and representative for both active and retired employees and a tireless advocate for senior citizen and veterans organizations throughout the county.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Knights of Columbus, AmVets or Fort La Presentation.

Click here to view his obituary.

Condolences can also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services for Cosentino were to be held today.