OBITUARY William (Bill) Cosgrove
Below is the obituary posted on digital memory.
Before reading I just wanted to say a few words of my own. Bill was a kind and supportive part of the water community who was always helping move forward the agenda and mentoring new people in joining the water community to engage in it. He will be missed by all of us who have spent time working with him and the water community has lost a huge advocate.
OBITUARY William (Bill) Cosgrove (1932-2024) On September 23, 2024 at his home in Beaconsfield. Devoted husband, partner and best friend to Frances Cosgrove (née Buote).Loving father of Anne-Marie Cosgrove (Juris); Carolee; Christopher-John Cosgrove (Myriam); Sean Cosgrove (Jenny); Ginny Cosgrove (Todd); and Catherine Cosgrove (Philippe). Cherished grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be sadly missed by brothers Paul (Frances) of Brockville, ON, and Ronald (Jane) of Victoria, BC; sister-in-law Suzanne Bulow and brother-in-law Sabin Buote, and by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends – and his cat Mister. Predeceased by his parents Joseph Thomas and Margaret Cosgrove (née Birch) of Cornwall, ON; his first wife, Kathleen Mulligan; his daughter Veronica; and his brother Michael.
Born on the north shore of Lake Superior, Bill obtained a civil engineering degree in fluid mechanics (1955) and a master’s in sanitary engineering (1962) from McGill University. Bill’s passion for water, the environment, innovation and public participation as means of improving living conditions for all fuelled his 50-year career. He began a 17-year stint at the World Bank as Water Resources Specialist in the North Africa/Middle East Region, then Division Chief, Energy, Water Resources and Telecommunications for Africa. By 1987, as Vice-President Personnel, he was responsible for the World Bank’s reorganization. Starting in the 1990s, Bill became a World Water Council member then served as President. In this capacity, he led a groundbreaking World Water Vision consultation process among some 15,000 women and men at the local, district, national, regional, and global levels to share their aspirations and develop strategies for the sustainable use and development of water resources. His later work on the 3rd United Nations World Water Development Report critically illustrated the importance for water managers to reach outside the traditional ‘water box’ to include decision-makers across all sectors – from government and civil society to business – in setting priorities and developing policies.
Bill’s visionary strengths have had a lasting impact closer to home. In 1967, he proposed a novel ‘green infrastructure’ project to the city of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, whereby a 48-hectare green space with a man-made lake could be used as a catchment area for excess rainfall. It is now known as William Cosgrove Centennial Park: a wooded and enchanting site teeming with wildlife, with trails and activities for visitors of all ages.
Additional roles and responsibilities include: Chairman of the International Steering Committee of the Dialogue on Water and Climate; President of Quebec’s Bureau des audiences publiques en environnement; Senior Research Scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis; Member, Task Force on Water, Millennium Development Goals; Board member, UNESCO IHP-HELP Center for Water Law, Policy and Science, University of Dundee; Member, Gulbenkian Foundation Think Tank on Water and Humanity; Board Chair, Water Economics, Policy and Governance Research Network (Canada); President, International Society for Intercultural Education, Training & Research; national Vice-President and local riding candidate, Quebec Liberal Party; Member, World Future Society and of the Organizational Development Network. Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Sciences from McGill University and named Honorary Fellow, UNESCO-IHE Training Institute.
Donations can be made to Mission Bon Accueil or to the Canadian Red Cross.
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