Stephen, thank you for being such a good friend to me. I will miss you so much (Brad Neri, Dallas TX)

I was blessed to have known Steve for the past 12 years. You will be missed by all that knew you. God Speed my friend

Steve,
You will be missed by so many, the lives you touched will not be forgotten. Your SPIRIT will live on in the officiating business and I will always remember the time we shared giving back to the officials in Houston. May your family find peace during this time and remember all the good times that they shared with you while you were here.

Steve you are truly blessed and I learned so much from you, Give GOD a big hug and a kiss for me . We the officials in Houston will greatly miss you, you and your family are always in my prayers!!!! God Bless

We are so sorry for your loss.
Jimmy and Debbir Hutchison

I'm very sad to hear the passing of my friend Steve.  I met Steve 20 years ago at a referee camp in Florida.  Our love of basketball, knowledge of the rules, and our shared sense of humor is the reason we became friends.  God speed Steve! My condolences, thoughts & prayers to his family.  Until we meet again my friend, you will be thought of every time I step out on the court.

My thoughts and prayers to the Costello family.  Steve's passion for life and basketball made al of us better people.  I just finished working the training sessions for newer high school officials with Steve and his patience, knowledge and desire to make all of us better was clearly evident.  the basketball community has lost a wonderful spokesperson!  Rest in peace

Honored to have known Steve for about 25 years. Very moving to see so many names of men that he helped evaluate over the years.

God bless and keep you, Steve. Condolences to the entire clan. Our loss is Heaven's gain. Billy Gebhard.

Great memories of growing up together. Thanks for the paper route!

It's nice to read so many loving comments about Steve.  Steve blessed many of our lives. May God's love comfort his family. Steve was a good man, friend and mentor.

Dear Nancy,
Sending my love to you and your family. May God wrap you in his arms. Remember, there are never endings, only beginnings.

Nancy, I send love and prayers to comfort your family.  I am so sorry to hear of Stephen's passing.  Hoping God will bless you and your family with peace and sweet remembrances.  

Renee and Pat McPherson

Stephen 
You showed me respect and Love from the first moment I meet you.  Love and Prayers to my friend 
"Mrs. Young"

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Steve was ALWAYS very kind and treated others with respect.  He was a genuine man who took an interest in helping everyone. I am thankful to have spent a couple of years in the Houston area and crossing paths with Steve. Rest In Peace my friend.

Dear Nancy,

I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your brother Stephen. My condolences to you and your family. Heaven is celebrating another life lived well. He is an inspiration for us all.

My condolences and prayers go out to the members of The Costello Family!  I'm just one of many who've had the privilege of being on the court officiating with him over the years.  Steve was appreciated by coaches and co-officials all over the land. He'll be missed!

It was an honor and a privilege to call Steve my friend.  We met many years ago through our service at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church (SFDS).  He set such an example of what it means to be a Christian, always following the Golden Rule, “You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, all your soul, and your neighbor as yourself”.  Steve always put others first.  He was a leader, and the first to volunteer for anything he could do to serve the Lord through his various liturgical ministries at SFDS. You knew you could always count on Steve. Thank you for always being so thoughtful Steve, especially during challenging periods for me.  I'll miss you my friend.

You were always Mr "Calm And Stable"  with your deliciously wicked sense of humor throughout our years together St Thomas, which, at moments like this, seem like yesterday. What a first class guy in my book. 

My deepest sympathy to the family.

Thanks to God for sharing Stephen with us!

Steve talked us into moving to Sugar Land all those years ago and those were some of the best years. We were blessed to have him in our lives and to have him as a Godparent for our daughter, Allie. Steve, thank you for your friendship and love and please know that we will miss you.

My condolences to the bereaved family at this most difficult time. May you be comforted by reflecting on the many wonderful memories that you can cherish forever.

Stephen was a wonderful man and was greatly respected.  He was a very kind person and I enjoyed all of our conversations.  We will miss him dearly.
Nancy Cervantes and Ventana Staff

My thoughts and prayers to all Steve's family and friends. Rarely do we have the opportunity to meet and know people the caliber of Steve. He was and is truly a great example of all the positives that make our existence meaningful. You will be missed greatly by a great many people.

To a great fried of over 40 years. A great gentleman in every meaning of the word. Very compassionate, giving and thought of others first.
You are home now with your Mom and Dad. God Bless You and Your Family.

Steve,

You were a great boss at Touch of Class.  You were always so willing to teach me something I didn't know.  You were kind and gentle soul.  May the memories we all have of the time we spent together carry us through the days ahead.

Margot Cooper

Our community has lost a great friend.  Stephen was such a sweetheart and someone you could always count on to be there when you needed him.  I will miss my special buddy.

My  condolences  to  the  family .  May  Stephen rest in   peace .  May   his passing   draw  the  family  close  to God .   James  4  :  8  &  Ecclesiastest 9:5.

Stephen, you were always the kid and the adult that all of us wished to emulate.  Your kindness, dedication, generosity and loving attitude will always be stored in my heart.  Say hello to Aunt Norma and Uncle Mark for me.  Love, Lydia

Steve was a friend of ours for some 30 years.  We shared special times and many laughs.  We will miss him and extend our sympathies to his family.  We love you, Steve.

Stephen how do I say goodbye to my Best Friend...it's impossible for me to imagine a world without you.  Your kindness and generosity was one of a kind your dedication to your family and especially your father was amazing!!  To say you made me a better man is a understatement  Even in the darkest of times you where always there. You always saw the best in people..and you opened your heart to so many......I will never forget the great times we had at so many sporting events. 
I had the pleasure of traveling the world with you. Rest in peace my friend  
Tell Skeet  hello for me  
Love  always

I don't know that I ever met a nicer man with such a kind heart. I love the fact that he worked in the NBA which was his passion for years. My sincere sympathy is extended to his family.  I know he will be greatly missed.
Ginny Boggus Casey

You will be missed, Stephen. One of the good guys in the officiating business. We got to know each other officiating small college (VERY small college!) tourneys together. Clicked immediately. Had lots of fun - great memories. May you rest in peace.

The sudden passing of my professional and personal friend, Steve Costello is a deep and sad loss to me and anyone who's known him especially in the field of basketball officiating. He prided himself in the knowledge of that field and was one of the best observer evaluators I have ever known. He was a soft-spoken gentleman with a willingness to serve others always. May God pour a blessing onto his family and give them the Peace that passes all understanding at this difficult time ....

Thank you Stephen for your friendship. We will miss your beautiful smile and kindness. May God bless you and keep you. May your family and friends find peace in their loving memories of you.

I have known Stephen for 33 years as both a friend and a family member. He's calm, quiet, sincere, and uncomplicated. In all that time I've never known or met anyone that had anything except kind things to say about him; that's indeed a rarity. I love him and will always miss him. Mike Schmitt, Brother-in-Law

My Dear Friend, I can still hear your voice from our conversation on Wednesday, upbeat, cheerful, cordial and friendly which is how you lived your life.  Others always came first, as you always looked to make people happy.  Your smiling face I will always remember and our friendship is what I treasure most.  Your place in Heaven is secure.

Dick Bavetta and Family

Steve's passing leaves a great void in the large community of his friends.  I enjoyed his friendship for over 30 years.  I'll miss his constant and consistent kindnesses, generosity and good humor.  Rest well my friend.

Steve you will be truly missed here on earth. May God continue to bless you and your family. You were a great man and an even better person. I have learned so much from you over the last few years and I will always cherish our friendship.  I can't believe you are gone but I know you are in a better place. I know I speak for many when I say we will always love you and miss you...

Stephen - You will be sorely missed! You were a great friend and an even better person. I will always remember and treasure the many times we spent together - as well as miss our frequent conversations. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

Steve always helps people.  He extended his friendship in a manner that few exhibit, and he help me in many ways that others have no insight about.  A solid person who's kindness will be missed.......

When we met over 30 years ago while refereeing, it was the start of a wonderful friendship.I will miss our frequent discussions on basketball topics. It was always intellectually challenging to talk basketball rules and plays with you. Because of those discussions you made me a much better referee and person. As usual, we were debating a rules question when I last heard your voice the day before you passed away. I will miss you my friend.

God rest your soul Steve.  You were a wonderful role model for us all. You constantly put others first in your life and you lived it with integrity and virtue.
You will be missed by all who came to know you and love you, especially the officiating community.

I have known Steve for many years both on the floor and as an Observer for the NBA. He had a great basketball mind, but more importantly was a good person. I consider him a friend and am saddened at his passing. Steve, this world is a better place because of you. You can rest knowing that you touched many lives and gave of yourself in the service of others. Rest in peace, my friend.

God called this kind man home, his work on earth done. No more pain or procedures! May God comfort those that mourn you and provide rest to your weary soul. I will miss you Steve!

Good guy is a term used too often, and does not do you justice, Steve.  You were a great guy.  Solid as they come.  I will miss our time together, but I will cherish it even more.  I am happy to say we were friends and I consider myself lucky for the opportunity.  Rest in Peace.

Steve will be missed by many. He always had an upbeat approach to those around him and he loved the game of basketball. Rest in peace Steve, you will be missed.
Ed T. Rush

Steve thank you for your friendship of nearly thirty years.  I of course was the better for it throughout.  I miss you dearly.  Thank you for you.  Terri, Counti, Satchel and I will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.  Love, The McCutchen Family.

OBITUARY

Stephen M Costello

5 September, 1956 – 27 November, 2014

Memorial Oaks Cemetery

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