Theodore James Costello Sr.

Theodore was born on February 8, 1953 in Newport Rhode Island to Lt. Col. Maurice J. Costello and Dorothy Costello. The Costello family was station at the military base Fort Adams in Newport at this time.

After six years of life in Newport the family was transferred to Elmendorf Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska where TJ and his family of two brothers and three sisters enjoyed winter sports, summer camping and fishing. His father’s next transfer was to Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino California.

TJ attended Holy Rosary grammar school and San Gorgonio High School. He moved to Knoxville Illinois where he attended Carl Sandburg Junior College and worked at Admirals Factory. He returned to California where he married Sandra Miller and had two children, daughter Michelle and son Teddy. TJ worked at St. Bernardino Hospital as an orderly, an occupation which he loved and where he was respected and admired.

He was a man with a wonderful sense of humor, always willing to lend a helping hand or words of encouragement, entertained people with great stories and made friends easily wherever he lived. During the last year and a half in Yuma, TJ became friends with Katarzyna and Walenty Bukowski. They welcomed, loved and cared for TJ and “adopted” him into their family. WE are eternally grateful for their compassion and kindness.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lt. Col. Maurice J. Costello and Dorothy Costello, his brothers Maurice Costello and Dennis Costello.

Theodore is survived by his current wife Rhena, three stepchildren and step grandchildren, His son Teddy and wife Shawndra Costello. His daughter Michelle (Missy) Costello. Six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, his three sisters, Mary Freiler her husband Joe Freiler, Kathleen (Casey) Whitsitt and Michele C. Spahn, sister-in-laws Carol Costello and Sue Costello and many, many nieces and nephews, the oldest of these recalling wonderful memories of their Uncle TJ.