Daniel Costea

It is with tremendous sadness that our family announces the passing of our Patriarch, Daniel Costea, just shy of his 90th birthday, in the care of Erie Shores Health Care on January 25, 2026, surrounded by his loving family members.

Dan is predeceased by his beautiful wife Margaret, parents Tom and Mary (nee Tarcea) Costea, brother George (Trudy) Costea, sisters Anna (Wally) Barnesky and Helen (Nick) Erina, sister-in-law Theresa (Robert) Joinville and brother-in-law Jim Chevalier. He is survived by his sister Pearl Tylee and sister-in-law Carole Chevalier. ‘Dan The Man’ and Marg ‘Joe Cool’ were married for over 66 years and leave behind four adoring children, Thomas Daniel (Joanne), Kenneth George, Janice Lynn (Ray) and Mary Ann. Dan, the Romanian grandfather known as Moşu, lived for and cherished his grandchildren, Jonathan (Anna), Brian, Megan and Stephen (Summer) Holland, Daniel Thomas Costea, Emily and Duncan Fleming, and great-grandchildren Gillian and Avery Holland. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who all had a special place in their hearts for ‘Uncle Dan’.

Dan, with his wife Margaret, were fabulous parents who nurtured an amazing family life that they created and graced with unconditional love. Nothing was more important to Dan than family. He always lit up with joy when surrounded by his grandchildren, and shared many adventurous vacations, reunions and special events with immediate and extended family. He was extremely kind and gracious, welcoming family and good friends into his home with warm hospitality, not to mention hosting epic parties. He truly enriched the lives of everyone he met.

Dan was a class act; one of the finest of all time who led a remarkable life. He worked hard to progress through an impressive career supporting his family and providing a solid foundation for his children in which to thrive. Starting from modest beginnings of cutting grass and flooding rinks, he rose to positions of Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Recreation in Windsor, Director of Parks and Recreation in Markham, Toronto and Regina, along with Assistant and Acting City Manager of Regina and Town Administrator in Halton Hills. He was a Past President and lifetime member of Ontario Parks Association where he is respected and admired, with a scholarship trust fund in his and his wife’s name, reflecting his passion for gardening and horticulture.

Dan managed to balance his work and family life with community involvement including Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis Club, recreational pursuits and sports, first and foremost, his love of hockey, which he played until he was 84 years old. Along with coaching and officiating hockey, he also participated in curling, softball, golf and fishing. He loved cheering for his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays, London Knights and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was dedicated to the Catholic Church and his faith, involved in parish activities such as the choir, lending his green thumb, and various social functions. Dan’s last home parish was at St. Justin’s in London; first row pew, front and centre, with his sister-in-law Carole.

Dan was one tough guy with at least nine lives, surviving many ailments and accidents. He first had open heart surgery and subsequently five stents inserted, two heart attacks, a stroke and a pig’s aortic valve transplant. He kept walking after surgery for slipped discs and compression fractures in his back, a fishing trip explosion in the cabin burning 40 percent of his body, a ruptured vessel in his intestine, Parkinson’s disease, congestive heart failure and sepsis infection. We were all fortunate that he courageously cheated death so many times.

Service details Visitation at Anderson Funeral Home (895 Ouellette Ave.) on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Prayers at 7:30 pm. Visiting continues on Saturday at Most Precious Blood Church (1947 Meldrum Rd.) from 10am until time of Funeral Mass at 11am. Interment to follow at Windsor Memorial Gardens.

Dan Costea was the best Moşu and Dad anyone could ever have. You will forever be in our hearts.