Steve Costello

Stephen T. Costello, 73, passed away peacefully on June 17 at home in Austin, Texas. Steve was born in Manhattan, New York and grew up in Wantagh, Long Island.

Steve graduated in 1967 from General Douglas MacArthur High School in Levittown, New York. Following graduation, Steve began working for AT&T in Manhattan, installing phone cabling in new construction, including the original World Trade Center buildings. While employed by AT&T, Steve was drafted into the United States Marines during the Vietnam War. He served his country honorably from 1969 - 1972 as a radio engineer stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 1974 Steve accepted an electronics technician position with Burroughs Corporation in Coral Springs, Florida. It was at Burroughs that Steve met the love of his life, Cindy, and they married in 1985. After relocating to the San Francisco Bay area in 1986, Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of San Francisco and began working for Tandem Computers as a Product Safety Engineer. In 1990, Steve was transferred by Tandem to Austin, Texas, where he later worked for Dell in engineering management for ten years. Apple recruited Steve in 2009 as a System Design Engineer on the iPad product development team in Cupertino, California. He also represented Apple worldwide on international battery safety and compliance committees. Steve retired from Apple in 2014.

Steve took great pleasure in taking his family on many memorable vacations, including Yosemite and the Northern California coast, the Canadian Rockies, and Costa Rica. He was a devoted father who loved coaching his children’s sports teams throughout the years and serving in his church’s children’s ministry and as a youth group volunteer. Steve’s other passions included playing recreational tennis, daily walks with his boxer Champ, grilling by the pool, and watching the Golden State Warriors and New York Yankees. In his retirement, Steve and Cindy enjoyed the Florida beach from their condo in Jupiter, Napa Valley wine tasting with friends, driving throughout Sweden and visiting Cindy’s extended family, and most recently, spending precious time with their four newest grandbabies, all born between 2021 - 2023. He was a faithful attendee at Austin Stone Northwest and member of the former Church at Canyon Creek. Steve will be remembered for his charming sense of humor, welcoming demeanor, and positive outlook on life.

Steve was predeceased by his parents, Vincent and Lucille Finger Costello; two brothers, Terry and Vinnie; and two daughters, Lisa Bowman and Lori Herrera.

Steve is survived by Lori’s children: Austin, Justin and Brenda. He is also survived by his loving wife of almost 38 years, Cindy Costello; daughter, Lana Del Valle (Alberto) and grandchildren Leanna and AJ of Royal Palm Beach, Florida; son, Matthew Costello (Amanda) and grandchildren Eli and Emma of Dallas, Texas; daughter Michelle Gras (Ronnie) and grandchildren Axel and Aria of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey; and sister, Donna Carter of Flagler Beach, Florida, as well as many cousins.

Steve was the eldest cousin on both sides of his family and was said by some to be considered their hero.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, July 2, 2023 At Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home in Austin, Texas. The memorial service will take place the following day beginning at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 3, 2023 at The Austin Stone Northwest, 9001 N FM 620, Austin, TX 78726. Steve will be laid eternally to rest in South Florida National Cemetery at a later date.

We would like to thank the Adult Bible Fellowship class at Austin Stone and dear friends and neighbors that assisted in many ways during these difficult past few months. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Melanoma Research Alliance, www.curemelanoma.org/tribute.