Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Michael Costanza Obituary
Born in Ocean City, N.J., he was the son of the late Nazzareno and Josephine DeMatteo Costanza and was a graduate of Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, N.J., and attended the University of Scranton and graduated from Stockton State College, Galloway, N.J.
Michael was employed as vice president of sales by McCarthy Tire of Wilkes-Barre and was very active in the community.
He was a member and former CEO of the Music Box Theatre, Swoyersville; past president of the Wilkes-Barre Rotary, where he was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award in Rotary; a member of the Bishop Hoban High School Parents Club and also served on the Advisory Council, coached boys and girls basketball for St. Nicholas/St. Mary's Elementary School, was varsity coach at St. Mary's Assumption Elementary School and was Sports Club president of St. Nicholas Parish.
Michael served on the CYC board of directors, Big Brothers Big Sisters board of directors and was a PIAA official and a member of the board of directors. He was president of the Coal Club of Philadelphia and was a finalist in the Times Leader Jefferson Award for Public Service.
Surviving are his wife of 34 years, the former Jane Frank, Laflin; daughter, Lauren Haynes and her husband, Alexander, Riverside, R.I.; son, Michael F. Costanza, Philadelphia; brothers, Carmen Costanza and his wife, Antoinette, Egg Harbor Township, N.J.; Thomas Costanza and his wife, Kari, Federal Way, Wash.; sister, Barbara Riggione and her husband, Ken, Ocean City, N.J.; several nephews and nieces; and father-in-law, Joseph Frank, Laflin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin. The Parish Rosary Group will recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary in the church a half-hour before the Funeral Mass. All are invited to join them.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday in St. Maria Goretti Church, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the CYC of Wilkes-Barre, 36 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, or Big Brothers Big Sisters, 33 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.
Arrangements are by the Corcoran Funeral Home Inc., 20 S. Main St., Plains Township.
Online condolences may be made at www.corcoranfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Costanza
Kathy Miller
April 26, 2013
Jane, and Lauren & Michael, I've never had the pleasure of meeting you (the longest & REAL Loves of Mike's life!), but I knew Mike, very well, years ago. And my husband (ALSO named Mike), knew OF him. I'll never forget, the morning of March 29, when he told me "I think your old boyfriend Mike Costanza is in the obituaries!!!" -- I don't know the circumstances of Mike's passing, but I knew that his mom Josie passed in early 2009, so it was an EXTRA shock, to see MIKE's picture there!!! --and at such a young age! I had the privilege to know (and love!) Mike, when we were in our late teens, he being 18, me 19, that summer we met at my job at a hotdog/ice cream stand on the OCNJ boardwalk. (His summer job at the time, was working on a garbage truck.) Although I lived in Lancaster, PA with my parents, my mom & I spent all of my summers in OC with my aunt & uncle. Mike & I went "steady" for awhile; We'd go to the beach, the boardwalk, on dinner dates, & sometimes to his friend Ed Powers' mom's house, where Mike would bring us beer ...(even though we were both underage and I then hated beer!) I'd sometimes go to the ballpark in OC to watch him play baseball (& I dislike sports), he'd come to Lanc. to visit me (& my parents), I visited him at the Univ. of Scranton (we saw the band "Sha-Na-Na"). Due to the distance & him being in college, we dated when we could, but after several years of back-and-forth, we eventually drifted apart, but stayed friends. Many years later, I moved to York, PA. He was coming to York to play in a baseball game, & he called my aunt for my phone# and we went out, w/some of my friends. I knew he had gone to (& graduated from) Stockton; (At the time, I had never heard of Stockton, so I still always think of him, when I hear of that college). I knew Mike's family, & a few times stopped to say hello to them, when in OC. Although I always knew Mike was a wonderful guy, I was surprised at all the organizations he was in! It looked like he had a heckuva full life, with them, in addition to his wonderful family life with you! He was lucky to have had you, Jane (34 yrs.!!) and two children too! Wow!!! Mike was a lucky & blessed man!! My heartfelt condolences to you (and to ALL of his family!), on the loss of your beloved husband & father, as well as brother & son-in-law, -and FRIEND to MANY. This July 18, I will "toast" Mike on his bday; what would have been his 60th.
John Basar-Hanover Nursery
April 8, 2013
My prayers, thoughts and sincere condolences for Mike's family. With affection and deep sympathy I hope the fond memories of Mike will give you comfort. He was a great man and will be sorely missed in the community.
LINDA MANSFIELD
April 8, 2013
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR MIKE'S FAMILY - WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADUATED WITH HIM - WHAT A NICE MAN!
April 7, 2013
So sorry for your loss. I grew up with Michael in ocean city. What a fun guy he was, I have only fond memories of him. He will be missed.
elda mclaughlin
Sue Burke-Capille
April 7, 2013
So sorry, Mike was a H.S classmate of mine and a sincere nice person. My prayers go out for him and to his family.
John DiPasquale
April 6, 2013
High school classmate, Mike was always there for you, always willing to lend a hand. Happy to hear of his life successes!
Sandy Vasapolli Jindra
April 6, 2013
My sincere sympathies to the family of Michael Costanza. We were class officers back in our Junior year at Holy Spiri tHigh School. Such sad news. Michael was such a wonderful guy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Steve Klein
April 4, 2013
Wow! What a guy Michael was. He was one of the greatest HSHS students to ever graduate from our high school.
I have many fond memories of Mike that remain to this day. He will always be remembered by all of us who knew and loved him. He was in all my classes at Holy Spirit and I can see him making everyone laugh throughout the day.
May he rest in peace with our Lord and Savior and all the saints in Heaven.
My prayers are with Michael's family.
Tim McCullough
April 3, 2013
I'm a friend of Mike's from HSHS...God Bless you and your family.
Vince Torpey, Jr.
April 3, 2013
So sorry to hear of Michael's passing. May his family and friends find comfort in our Lord.
joe Elderman
April 3, 2013
I was so sadened to hear of Michaels passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your fanily.
Joe Elderman
Houston TX
April 3, 2013
Jane and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, God bless and keep you. Love, Sally and Clarence
April 1, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Fondly, Jim, Kathy, Ryan and Shanna Dunn
Ocean City, NJ
Paul & Dawn Winarski
April 1, 2013
A Wonderful Man, We will remember Mike fondly...Our thoughts are with you Jane,Lauren,and Michael Jr.
Greg & Dawn Fisher
March 31, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to the Costanza family. Michael meant more to me and many others at McCarthy Tire than you will ever know. A class guy and a true gentleman. No one could ever take his place. His spirit will be sadly missed.
Jim & Kim Millar
March 31, 2013
We sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He was a great man. We were lucky to be his neighbor in Ocean City. He always had a smile on his face and was up for good conversation with friends and family, especially at the many cookouts in the backyard. We will miss him very much.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mrs. James Mckeown
March 30, 2013
I am very sorry for your loss.
Carol Mannering/Burke
March 30, 2013
I was so saddened to hear the loss of Mike....It has been over 40yrs I knew Mike in HS and would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his family. Thoughts and prayers to both Mike and his family.
Michael Gill
March 30, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Michael's passing. I haven't seen Michael in many years but I have fond memories of the pick up baseball games at the North Street playground when we were kids and softball when we reached our 20's and beyond. Michael was a stellar athelete and a good person. My sincere condolences to familiy members.
Amie Sacco-Sykes
March 29, 2013
No words can express how heart-breaking it is to lose a loved one so young. Michael was an incredible father, friend and person. My thoughts and prayers go out to a wonderful family at this difficult time.
James Frank
March 29, 2013
Jane & Family,
So sorry to hear of Mike's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers during your time of sorry.
Jimmy Frank
Steven Metz
March 29, 2013
Carmen, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. I will miss him playing short and batting last. God has got himself the complete shortstop.
March 28, 2013
So sorry for your loss... Mike will be missed, he was a great man and I enjoyed working with him and being his friend. Till we meet again my friend... God Bless.... Courtland & Denise Acosta
Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results
Make a Donation
in Michael Costanza's name
Memorial Events
for Michael Costanza
How to support Michael's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Michael Costanza's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
