Glenn H. Costanza

Glenn H. Costanza passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025 after a serious illness during the past six months. He was three days shy of his 76th birthday. He was born in New Orleans, LA to the late Joyce June Melancon Costanza and the late Felix S. Costanza, Sr. Glenn was a graduate of St. Aloysius and CorJesu High School in 1967, and attended Southwestern University, Lafayette and UNO. Glenn was a longtime parishioner of St. Louis King of France and was the head usher for the 4:00 Saturday Mass. Glenn became a Knight and was a member of Ludovicum Council 4663 for 21 years. He participated and became chairman of the “Feed the People” council program as one of the Bucktown Boys. As chairman, he did the monthly purchases and was a part of approximately 250 Feed the People Wednesdays and serving 30, 000 meals. In recognition of conscientious outstanding services, loyalty and dedication, he was recognized as Knight of the Year for 2008-2009. Glenn was also a member of VFW, DAV and American Legion. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Felix S. Costanza, Jr. (Sammy); and niece, Nicole F. Curry. Glenn is survived by his sisters, Carla Curry (Frank) and Lisa Beard (JC); nieces and nephews, Ryan Curry, Alyssa Curry Wylie, Jordan Beard (Aimee), Scott Beard (Jessica); and great-nieces and nephews, Nicole, Cole, Caleb, Ryan M. Curry and Amelia, Evelyn, Jonas and Leila Beard. The family would like to give special thanks to Passages Hospice Nurses and care team, the Veterans Hospital doctors and their Community Living Center Team. Relatives and friends are invited to attend services held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA on Friday, July 25, 2025. Visitation will be from 10:00am until Mass begins at 12:00pm. Interment will follow in St. Louis No. 3, New Orleans, LA.

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In Memory of Glenn Costanza

Glenn and I met in March 1970 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. I was eighteen years old — Glenn was twenty — little did I realize then that we would become lifelong friends.

We trained together for eight weeks in Advanced Individual Training. Our Military Occupational Specialty was “11 Delta” — Armored Reconnaissance Intelligence Specialist. But, for reasons still unclear, our Drill Sergeant Shoemaker always called us “stupid for brains.” But we trained hard.

Shortly before completing training, the Kent State University students were killed by the National Guard. We felt ashamed — not of our service, but for what the uniform had come to represent to some. Still, we were not the National Guard.

Before shipping out to Vietnam, we took our one and only weekend pass to Louisville, Kentucky. It was me — Walt Ferguson — and Larry Goodlet, Jim Cox, Richard Kelley, Jerry Willoughby and Glenn. We arrived in-country together and were sent North to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), assigned to Quang Tri Fire Base. We became part of 1st Platoon, A Troop, 4th of the 12th Cavalry, 5th Mechanized Infantry. A small combat unit operating on its own with a high degree of efficiency.

Our mission was to serve as a reactionary force and to protect the fire bases along the (DMZ) and the areas around Quang Tri City. We spent most nights in a defensive position on some unknown hill. Except for those three-day standdowns, for maintenance and personal time, we were out in the countryside, moving from village to village, hill to hill, searching for the enemy or responding to the needs of other military units.

Glenn was the right M60 machine gunner on our Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle. In November 1970, outside the village of Cam Lo, our vehicle hit a mine. When the blast exploded the vehicle’s rear hatch flipped down hard, hitting him and the left gunner, and throwing them both inside the vehicle. Our platoon leader was blown off the top into the brush. Two crew members were medivaced, but Glenn chose to stay with the vehicle. We hooked up to a tank and were towed to our night defensive position.

Glenn participated in many armed foot patrols. We'd go out in groups of 5 to 7, investigating everything from trails, unexploded ordinance, perimeter threats to underground bunkers. He carried the M60 machine gun, extra ammo, and a supply of fragmentation grenades — not an easy task. He was so good with grenades we nicknamed him “Fragman.” As the saying goes, Glenn wasn’t fearless — but he was brave in the face of fear.

We traveled together from the artillery fire bases on the DMZ to the Rockpile, and eventually to Khe Sanh Valley in March 1971 where Glenn was wounded. We fought together, we laughed together, and we cried together.

After Vietnam, we ended up at Fort Riley, Kansas, and spent our fair share of time in the Junction City bars. Our unit was shipped to Germany in October 1971 for about seven weeks. This was to push back any of those crazy Russians trying to cross the Berlin Wall. Shortly after that, Glenn was honorably discharged from the Army.

We lost track of each other for over 20 years, but the A Troop, 4/12 Cavalry reunions brought us back together — like we had never missed a beat. Although, not as much drinking, but many, many more good laughs! Glenn had a sharp sense of humor.

It was always a hoot to phone Glenn. For many years his mom would answer, we’d chat for a bit, and then she’d yell, “Glenn! Fergie’s on the phone!!” I already miss those phone calls and texts more than I can say.

Glenn lived life his own way — fully, and with a spiritual heart. He was adventurous, grounded, and one of the real ones.

I’m proud to have served alongside him in the military. But even more than that, I’m extremely grateful to have called him my friend.

Rest in peace, Glenn.

Walt Ferguson