Joseph J. Costanza Jr.

Joseph J. Costanza Jr., 77, of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at Parkview Randallia Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was born to the late Joseph J. and Theresa (Digesare) Costanza in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 13, 1944.

Joe attended Indiana Institute of Technology then transferred to Purdue University graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering. He then went on to marry Bonnie Alexander. After a separation Joe married Jane A. Thompson and she preceded him in death in 2009. After a stint as an engineer, Joe decided there was a higher and more rewarding calling and devoted his life to public service and was a fire fighter for over forty years. Joe Costanza’s career started as a volunteer on the Wayne Township Fire Department, then moving to and spending the remainder of his career on the Fort Wayne Fire Department. He was a mentor and role model to many within the department and achieved the rank of Captain, as well as Arson Investigator. Everyone who knew him was aware of his overflowing generosity, both on the job as well as in his free time. During the Christmas season, he would go to the local hospitals dressed as Santa and give away gifts to children in the various burn and cancer units. This was on his own accord and at great expense, yet that was one of many ways in which he worked to help others. There were many more examples of such generosity that we, in the interest of brevity, will list just that one. By the way… the Santa outfit still survives and is in the possession of his sons. He is survived by his children, Don Costanza and Robert (Angela) Costanza; grandchildren, Courtney, Ashley, Alex, Ashlye and Tori; and a sister, Rosemary (Paul) Hanley.

A Celebration of Joseph’s Life will be held from 2 PM to 4 PM on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at D.O. McComb and Son's Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Joe's family may be shared at www.McCmbandSons.com