William "Fred" Gossage Sr. "Goose"

William Fred (Goose) Gossage, Sr., a retired State Farm Insurance Company agency manager of 40 years, died on March 15, 2019 at his home.  He was born in Baltimore, and raised in Catonsville by his grandmother, Josephine Gossage, and resided for the past 51 years in West Friendship, Howard County. 

Mr. Gossage was a 1949 graduate of Catonsville High School where he earned an athletic letter in track and cross country running.  After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on August 14, 1950.  While with the Air Force, he served in Japan and Korea in 1952-1953.  Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Fred worked for IBM and later as an independent life insurance, both in Baltimore. 

He took a position as an agent with the State Farm Insurance Companies.  He worked his way up in the company to become an Agency Manager.  As a manager he hired 25 men and women agents and together they established many sales records and received numerous awards for their sales production. 

Fred’s first wife was Jane Marie Breidenstein.  She was the mother of his three children.  She died of cancer in 1979 at the age of 45. 

Mr. Gossage was also active in his community.  He was an active member of the St. Louis Catholic parish in Clarksville.  He was also a member of Council 11898 of the Knights of Columbus in Clarksville with the rank of Third Degree. 

Mr. Gossage is survived by a daughter, Debra Boyd and her husband Larry Boyd of Sykesville; a son Fred Gossage, Jr. and his wife Elaine Gossage; and a son John Scott Gossage, both of West Friendship, MD.  He is also survived by his former wife, Joan Gossage, with whom he maintained a very close friendship over many years.  Fred is also survived by grandchildren Kim, Trey, Mark, Christopher and Laura and two great-grandchildren Emma Jane and Noah. 

Fred will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.  His sense of humor, his deep caring for others, he loved to help people succeed, and his passion for living are qualities that are rarely found in others.  He was a loyal friend, a powerful ally, and a motivating force in the lives of people for whom he cared.      

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