Obituary of Stephen S. Cost

February 20, 2014 Dr. Stephen S. Cost of Camillus passed away on Thursday, February 20, surrounded by his family. He was born on June 23, 1923 and lived his entire life in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Cost practiced medicine for 45 years until his retirement in 2000. He started his medical career serving in the US Army Medical Corps during World War II and he received his education at Syracuse University and New York Medical College. He interned at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady and then completed his residency at The Veteran’s Hospital in Syracuse. Dr. Cost was an Internist/Rheumatologist on the southwest side of Syracuse while serving on the staff of Community General Hospital and Van Duyn Home and Hospital. In addition, he was a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at Upstate Medical Center and a member of the Onondaga County Medical Society. Dr. Cost was a member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology. He served on the executive boards of the Arthritis Foundation, Heart Association and Cancer Society.In addition to being a devoted husband and a proud family man, Dr. Cost was an amateur artist, an award-winning model ship builder and a supporter of the performing arts in Syracuse. Over the years he was an avid fisherman and sailor, piloting his sailboat, The Agapee, out of Sodus Bay. In his retirement, he traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America, and Asia. Dr. Cost was predeceased by his first wife Elizabeth Kearing Cost, his son Thomas Joseph of Marcellus, and his brother Frank. He is survived by his current wife of 26 years, Julie Spencer Cost and his brother, Emil (Elaine) of Camillus; children: Steve (Patti) of El Dorado, KS, Michael (Cindy) of Syracuse, daughter-in-law Patricia of Marcellus, Christopher (Debbie) of Laconia, NH, Lisa Cost-Peck of Syracuse, Gregory of New Hartford, and Sandy (Nick) Stefano of Camillus; step-children: Jill (Bill) Bliss of Cary, NC, Scott Taylor of Waterloo, and Todd (Kathy) Taylor of Camillus; grandchildren: David (Amber), Elizabeth, Coby (Lauren), Caleigh (Daryn) , Alex (Rachel), Jason, Patrick, Jessica, Andrew, Daniel, Chelsie, Kevin, Evan, and Jonathan; step-grandchildren: Brandy, Jimmy, Brendan, Ryan, Megan, Kelly, Katelyn, Kerri, Spencer and Shelby; as well as, many great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be Tuesday, February 25th from 1:30-3:00pm prior to the church service at 3:00pm at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 2200 Valley Drive, Syracuse, NY 13207. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Paul’s Methodist Church Memorial Fund or a charity of your choice.