Jorge Manuel Costa was born August 12, 1942 in Angra do Heroismo, Terceira Island, Açores, Portugal, the first child of Euclides and Elvira da Costa. At the age of 12, he immigrated to the United States with his parents and younger brother and sister.
George worked hard to do well in school and became an American citizen at the age of 18, changing the spelling of his name to George. George continued his education, first earning a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of Connecticut, then earning his MBA. He married Judith Guay, and they made their home in Glastonbury, Connecticut. George served in the US Army and Army Reserves for 17 years, completing tours in Italy and Viet Nam and attaining the rank of Major. In 1984, George married Donna Mills in Carbondale, Illinois and initially made their home in Marion, Illinois where they joined their families as one.
For more than 30 years, George worked as a Project Manager in the Healthcare industry, leading projects in Des Plaines and Marion, Illinois, Boston, Massachusetts; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Trenton, New Jersey; and Tallahassee, Florida.
During his last 10 years before retirement, George accepted a similar position outside the healthcare industry, which combined his successful career with his love of travel and exploring new places and cultures. He traveled all over South and Central America, ultimately retiring in 2005.
George loved spending time with his kids and grandkids, playing soccer, walking, traveling, cooking, gardening, entertaining, sunbathing at the beach or floating in the pool, and following his three favorite sports teams: UConn Huskies basketball, Florida State football, and the New York Giants.
George is survived by his wife Donna of Leander, Texas; sister Maria Sousa of Glastonbury, Connecticut; children Holly and Pete de Neergaard of Leander, Texas; Michael and Diana (Cunningham) Costa of Buford, Georgia; Andrew Costa of San Antonio, Texas; Lee and Brandi (Swords) Costa of Havana, Florida; and Katie and Marcio Fujita of Leander, Texas; and daughter-in-law Alyssa (Christner) Costa of Naples, Florida. George also leaves 18 grandchildren: Nicholas de Neergaard, Samuel Costa, Luiza Magalhães Ramos, Steven de Neergaard, Thomas Costa, Joseph Costa, Tyler Z. Costa, Ana Bella Costa, Tyler O. Fujita, Emma Costa, Natalia Fujita, Benjimin Costa, Zachary Costa, Brooklyn Costa, Jacob Costa, Brody Costa, Leora Costa, and Ava Fujita.
George is preceded in death by his parents, Euclides and Elvira da Costa , his brother Raul Costa, and son Shane Costa.
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