Thomas M. Costa

He was born August 22, 1928 in Detroit, MI the son of Eugene and Genevieve Carroll Costa. He married Yvonne Factor in 1951 in Springfield and she preceded him in death. He married Celeste White at Blessed Sacrament Church in 1994 and she survives. He was also preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Costa graduated from Blessed Sacrament Grade School, Cathedral Boys High School, and St. Ambrose College. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, Second Infantry Division, serving as a Sergeant. He was Vice-President and partner in the Evans-Work-Costa Advertising Agency until 1964. He then joined Franklin Life Insurance Company as Vice-President of Sales Promotion, Advertising and Public Relations, retiring after twenty-three years of service.

Mr. Costa was a charter member of Christ the Kin g Church. At the time of his death, he was President of the Lay Advisory Board of Brother James Court. He served as a member of the Board of the Sangamon County Unit of the American Cancer Society, and the Board of Springfield College in Illinois. He was past-president of the Springfield Advertising and Public Relations Club, and chairman of the United Way’s Marketing and Communications Committee. He taught watercolor painting at the Springfield Art Association for several years.

He is survived by his wife: Celeste; five children: Thomas (wife, Nancy), Matthew and Daniel Costa of Springfield; Susan (husband, Michael) Terril, and Rachel (husband, Kenneth) Savage both of Springfield; ten grandchildren; two brothers: Eugene (wife, Bernadette) and James (wife, Rosemary) Costa both of Springfield; one sister: Sallie (husband, Paul) Ineich of Jacksonville; and thirteen nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, 2001 with a Wake Service at 4 p.m. Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be at St. Agnes Church at 10 a.m. Friday, December 21, 2001 with the Very Rev. Patrick Wright, VF principal celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brother James Court, 2500 Saint James Rd., Springfield, IL 62707. The family of Thomas M. Costa is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.