Mr. Costello was born in Philadelphia, PA. He is predeceased by his parents, Charles Patrick Costello and Mary Elizabeth Dundas, his aunt and godmother Dolores Hinton, and his brother-in-law Norman Tees.
Survivors include his siblings, Mary Tees, Patricia Orr, Rosemary Crow, David Costello (Lori), and Charles Costello (Diane), his children, Daniel Costello (Laura), Mary Dison (Kevin), Anne Costello, Colleen Mathias (Michael), and Sean Costello. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, Ryan Mathias, Elizabeth Costello, Amanda Oquendo-Paddon (Ben), Connor Mathias, Daniel Oquendo, Owen Costello, Riley Costello, Claire Dison, Mary Grace Mathias, Van Fournier, and Lilah Batson, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He graduated from Father Judge High School in Philadelphia in 1957. He enlisted upon high school graduation at the age of 17 and retired from the U.S. Navy after 21 years of active-duty service advancing from apprentice level to Chief Petty Offer as an electronics technician. He served aboard the U.S.S. Newport News, a Des Moines-class heavy cruiser, supporting Allied forces during the Vietnam War. The ship's guns fired on 1,528 missions to provide gunfire support for allied units on the mainland of South Vietnam. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he remained in the reserves for nearly ten years while embarking on a second career with the Civil Service at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). An avid golfer, he spent many years on the course at Eagle Haven Golf Course at Little Creek Amphibious base, serving in the Eagle Haven Men’s Golf Association leadership. He was a fiercely devoted fan of all Philadelphia sports teams. He loved spending summer vacations on Hatteras Island with his children and grandchildren and extended family and could be found enjoying a good book, a cold IPA, and a cigar. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 4, 11:00a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church.
Graveside services with Military Honors will follow at A.G. Horton Jr., Veteran Memorial Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. in Suffolk, VA.
Friends may offer condolences at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or Breakthrough T1D.
