from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Edward “Gene” Cossette, 71, died Oct. 29, 2010, at the Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, N.H., after a battle with cancer.

He was born May 14, 1939, in Rochester, N.H., the son of the late Edward and Antionette (Ferland) Cossette. He was a lifelong resident of Rochester, a 1957 graduate of Spaulding High School and a member of the undefeated state champion football team.

He enjoyed golfing, attending University of New Hampshire football games and taking his special dog “Raggs” to the Rochester dog park.

He was a USTA racing official, working at many tracks throughout the U.S., including the Meadowlands, Louisville Downs, the Red Mile, Northfield Park, Foxboro Raceway, Rockingham Park and Scarborough Downs.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Pearl (DeWolf); son, Edward (Erika); daughter, Raeann (Dan) Clarke; grandchildren, Emma and Aidan Clarke; brothers, Donald and Gerald; sisters, Sylvia St. Germaine and Valerie Demosthenes; and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may visit Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 3-6 p.m. at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main Street, Rochester, N.H.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, Sixth Floor, Brookline, MA 02445 or Cocheco Valley Humane Society, County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820.