Fermin Martin Cosca

With his family by his side, and watching him sleep peacefully, Fermin Martin Cosca, 67, left his mortal home to find his Eternal rest on Friday, February 9, 2024. He was born on February 14, 1956, in Cavite, Philippines, to Sofia Martin and Raymundo Cosca, Sr. Our forever Valentine was a dedicated husband and adoring father who showed his love through small and large actions. He was a brother, uncle, and friend to those he had the opportunity to lovingly tease. He brought smiles to all he encountered with his sense of humor and honesty.

Fermin’s generous soul was felt through gestures of gift-giving, complimenting, and requesting “food specialties” without reservation. If he knew you made something well, he was never afraid to ask. A jokester, he always made those around him laugh with little quips and phrases.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Fermin worked as a Chemist/Medical Technologist at Mid-Jefferson Hospital (later known as The Medical Center of SETX) in Nederland, Texas for 25 years. Growing up in the Philippines, he came to New York first, then moved and worked in California, where he met his wife, Cecile. They both decided to move back to New York, married, and had their first child, Gerard. Their little princess, Clarissa, was born 14 months later when they moved to Texas and settled in Port Neches for the last 31 years.

His hobbies include gardening, floral arrangements & design, drawing, and innovatively rebuilding anything he could from used furniture to bird baths. He loved decorating for holidays – especially his Christmas wreath, tree and manger. His sense of fashion & style were unmatched – rarely following trends but dressing with confidence in whatever he liked.  Fermin was meticulously clean, always with distinct scent or cologne, groomed, and never left a tag untucked or a thread loose. You always knew when he was nearby. His love for bowling has been passed down to his son, Gerard – who strives to make him proud. Most people, especially his nieces and nephews, will remember his love for sweets – always giving away chocolate or treats in his pocket and whatever he had in his candy collection at home. He loved animals, especially birds and his little twin valentine birthday of 16 years, MaryJane.

Although often a man of few words, his love was always felt. As a husband, Fermin deeply adored his wife, Cecile. From the moment he pursued her, he showered her with gifts as his expression of love and never wanted to be apart from her since the start of their 35 years together. Her protector, he was a true romantic at heart, fulfilling his duty as her lifelong valentine. He was the greatest father that his children could dream of – never saying “no” and making sure they always felt his love even in his silence. Fermin truly made his family his world, and they lost a large part of theirs when he left to go with Jesus.

Although his life was not defined by cancer, in November of 2016, he started the most difficult battle of his life. Fermin fought with a quiet but ferocious spirit despite the unimaginable pain and sorrow he faced. During difficult times, he turned to his faith for strength, and inspired those around him with a positive disposition and even encouragement when he met others fighting similar battles. Until the end, he never gave up and inspired both his family and friends with his determination to continue treatment.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-five years, Cecile Puzon-Cosca; his son, Gerard and partner, Jennifer Irving; his daughter, Clarissa and her husband, Christopher Collins; brothers, Raymundo Jr., Enrique, David, Mariano, and Ramir; sisters, Dorcas Eusebio and Miriam Cruz; nieces, nephews, and God-given friends who he considered family.

He is preceded in death by his father, Raymundo Sr. and mother, Sofia, and three newborn siblings.

A gathering of Mr. Cosca’s family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., with a prayer and Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Friday, February 23, 2024, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 24, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2006 Nall Street, Port Neches. His cremation arrangements will be handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.

In lieu of donations, please consider donating to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486, or MDAnderson.org/Gifts in memory of Fermin. The family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to the MD Anderson Cancer Center doctors, nurses and staff for their care and support. Fermin loved flowers. Please feel free to send whatever makes you think of him. We know he will be busy looking at these flowers and making his own arrangements from above.