Charles L. "Corky" Cost

Charles L. “Corky” Cost, of Pittsburgh, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 28, 2023, at
the age of 87. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Frances Miale Cost, adoring daughters Jeanianne
Brody, Rebecca Snyder, and former son-in-law Barry Snyder, Georgia Pawk, and her husband Michael, and
Kristan Borgatello. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Zachary (Haley) Snyder, Benjamin Brody,
Sydney (Jason) Hunter, Maxwell Pawk, Jordan Brody, Cassandra Pawk, Oliver O’Donnell, Victoria Pawk, and
Peter O’Donnell, great-grandson Charles Beck Hunter, nephew Raymond Sekowski, and additional nieces,
nephews, and cousins. Corky loved his family deeply and enjoyed time with them above all else. A proud
Italian American, he was predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Jean (Glasso), his brother Frank “Sonny,”
and sisters Teresa Weik and Rosemary Sekowski.
Corky was born in Turtle Creek and called Pittsburgh home for all 87 years. A graduate of Wilkinsburg High
School, he was named an All-WPIAL Halfback. He attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. At Pitt, he earned nine letters in three years playing baseball,
basketball, and football. He was a star running back during the ’54, ’55 and ’56 football seasons where he
represented the University of Pittsburgh wearing number 28 in both the Gator and Sugar Bowl championships.
It was during his tenure at the University that Corky met his beloved wife, Frances.
After graduating from Pitt, Corky served in the United States Army (Infantry), then went on to a 60-year career
leading Cost Company as the “Wizard of Brick and Block.” Corky worked collaboratively with construction
teams and business leaders to successfully complete a wide range of projects in commercial development,
health care, education, hospitality, retail, transportation, entertainment, and non-profits. He was a member of
numerous professional organizations, including the International Masonry Institute, the Master Builders
Association, and the Mason Contractors Association of Western Pennsylvania. He sat on several negotiating
committees for various trade unions – chairing the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9 PA for decades.
He was part of many renewal projects in Pittsburgh and was most proud of his involvement in the seven-month
effort to clean and restore Pitt’s 42-story Cathedral of Learning whereby the City of Pittsburgh honored Corky
with its Historic Preservation Award. He was old school with a stalwart work ethic and would often say, “bricks
and blocks till 4 o’clock… stone and rock till 5 o’clock” to describe his over 12-hour workdays, always at his
desk by four o’clock in the morning.
Corky exhibited his deep love for the City of Pittsburgh through his leadership and philanthropy, which
supported education, athletics, healthcare, arts and culture. He credited his experience at the University of
Pittsburgh for giving him unlimited opportunities and felt a responsibility early on to give back to his
community. Corky was honored by the Pitt Varsity Letter Club with its Award of Distinction for those
individuals who have distinguished themselves in their profession or community and who have
enhanced intercollegiate athletics programs at the University. The Charles L. Cost Field – home of Pitt’s
baseball team – is named in his honor and his generosity created the Cost Sports Center at Pitt. Magee Women’s
Hospital, Carnegie Mellon University, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, and the Pittsburgh
Athletic Association, among others, honored Corky for his kindness and patronage.

An avid sportsman he played water volleyball, racquet ball and golf with the same competitiveness and vigor he
displayed at Pitt. He was known for driving around town in his red Ford pick-up truck with black fenders, while
visiting job sites and looking at his “happy bricks” on countless buildings and monuments.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at John A. Freyvogel
Sons, Inc., 4900 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The Funeral will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023,
with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Bishop David Zubik at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Paul Cathedral, 108
North Dithridge Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Friends will be received at the Cathedral starting at 9:00 a.m.
prior to the Mass. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)

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