Obituary Announcement - David Cosco
It is with deep sorrow, and with profound gratitude for all that he did for us and for the people of Ethiopia, that, on behalf of the Board of Directors, I announce the passing of our beloved Co-Founder of Partners In Education Ethiopia, David Cosco.
David passed away peacefully, surrounded by much love and with his family at his side, on September 8, 2026, in Whitehorse, Yukon.
David accomplished many things throughout his life, but none were held closer to his heart than the work he did for the people of Ethiopia for more than two decades.
David began his work in Ethiopia in 2002 as a Board member of an aid organization building schools, building bridges and bringing water to villages. In 2015, David and Gina founded Partners In Education Ethiopia, and from that time forward they devoted themselves to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for children of Ethiopia.
I have had the privilege of following David’s work in Ethiopia for more than 20 years, and during that time I witnessed firsthand his extraordinary commitment and compassion for the people of Ethiopia. David travelled to Ethiopia every year for more than 20 years until his health would not allow it these last 3 years, always with the same determination; to help make a practical and meaningful difference.
There is one picture of David in Ethiopia that is etched permanently in my mind.
Here was a man who could have been anywhere in the world, doing anything he wanted. Yet there he sat, in a small mud-and-dung hut in rural Ethiopia, breaking bread—or, more accurately, sharing injera—with the people of the village.
The villagers were talking with David about the project they desired for their community and David was doing what he did so well: sitting with them, listening to them, understanding their many challenges, and helping to make their desires a reality.
David's last request to Gina was to make sure the work of Partners In Education Ethiopia continues and we will all honour that request, David.
Goodbye Good Friend
Terry Hillaby
Chairman of the Board
