Obituary of J. Robert Costello

J. Robert (Bob) Costello, of Darien, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, January 13, 2009. Born January 22, 1922 in Port Chester, New York, he was the son of the late John F. and Mary Clancy Costello. Bob was a 1937 graduate of Stamford High School. In 1941 he earned a diploma in Accounting and Business Administration from what is now PACE University. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Bob served as a Pharmacist Mate, First Class on Guadalcanal and Bougainvillea during battle years as part of the First Marine Amphibious Corp. His unit was awarded a Presidential Citation. He later served in the South Pacific aboard the Navy's first seaplane tender, the USS Wright. While in the Navy he attended Colgate, Northwestern and Harvard Universities where he received training and earned a commission as a Communications Officer. He served as a Communications Watch Officer on the staff of the Admiral in charge of the amphibious support for the planned invasion of Japan. After the armistice, he continued his service on this staff for an extended period aboard the U.S.S. Mount Olympus in Japan and China. For several years thereafter he was part of the former Naval Reserve unit in Noroton Heights. He was employed by the former American Tobacco Company from which he retired as marketing controller in 1983 after a 36-year career. In his early retirement, Bob enjoyed walking at Cummings Beach and the company of a group of Stamford gentlemen who met there each day and amusingly refereed to themselves as "The Over the Hill Gang." After spending several winters in Florida, Bob moved to Spring Hill in 1994 where he and his wife Mary Jane enjoyed many happy years before returning to the area in 2005. Bob was an avid golfer. He enjoyed listening to military music and boating whenever the opportunity arose. His greatest joy though was time spent surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He especially loved summer holidays spent around the pool at his family home on Forest Lawn Avenue. He was a member of St. John R.C. Church and a founding officer of the Holy Name Society of St. Bridget of Ireland Parish in Stamford. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Jane Gallagher Costello and his brother Richard F. Costello. He is survived by his ten children, J. Robert Jr. (Lesa) of Tulsa, OK, Mary Ellen Georgoulis (the late Theodore) of Norwalk, Patricia A. Beirne (Kevin) of Stamford, Gerald J. (Deborah) of Westport, Maureen J. Gallagher (Donald) of Brecksville, OH, Thomas P. (Wade) of Fairfield, Christopher M. (Valerie) of Farmington Hills, MI, Rosemary Bedosky (John) of Stamford, Daniel X. (Michele) of Clear Lake, TX and Susan E. Brown (Scott) of Fairfield, 24 grandchildren and 5 great- grandchildren. Bob was additionally blessed with two wonderful caretakers in his final years. The Costello children are eternally grateful to Terry Jetter and Claude Forbin Scott for their love and friendship. Friends may call at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Friday January 16, 2009 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien. Burial will follow at St. John Roman Catholic Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Post 53-Ambulance, P.O. Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820 Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820