Henrico County’s longest-serving employee retires today after 73 years

The longest-serving employee in Henrico County history, Elvin Cosby, retires today after more than 73 years and seven days on the job in the county’s Public Works department – seven years shy of a Guinness World Record for the longest-tenured employee anywhere.

Cosby grew up in Henrico County and attended Virginia Randolph School. His high school studies were cut short after ninth grade when he began working to help his parents support their family of eight.

On April 23, 1946, at age 18, Mr. Cosby followed in his father’s footsteps to become a Henrico employee. He was hired by the Department of Public Works as a laborer, with an initial assignment of bringing water to crews working on county roads. He worked 10-hour days, earning 55 cents an hour. The work was hard and often dangerous, as some residents would unleash their dogs when he asked to draw water from their wells for the road crews.

Cosby persevered, however, and steadily rose through the ranks in Public Works. He was promoted to a truck driver in 1954 and to equipment operator in 1957; by 1976, he had become a labor foreman. He is now a maintenance supervisor.

In his more than seven decades as a member of the Public Works staff, Cosby has served under each of the department’s nine directors. He has seen equipment change from mule teams to high-tech pavers and compactors. He also has lent his skills and experience to other county initiatives, such as advising Henrico’s early efforts to promote a racially diverse workforce.

“Cosby is a dedicated supervisor and mentor to his employees and is a model for the entire county workforce,” the county said in a statement. “Through his work ethic, sense of service and his commitment to his work, fellow employees and county residents, he has set the standard for the Henrico Way.”

The county also honored Cosby with a street name in his honor and a public works award. Read more about both here.