James Cromwell Costanzo

James Cromwell Costanzo was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on November 12, 2025.  He was born in 1946 in Morganfield, Kentucky to the Reverend Dr. Michael Robert Costanzo and Margaret Boyd Costanzo, later moving to Jeffersontown KY where he attended Eastern High School. He attended college at Eastern Kentucky University where he met his late wife, Donna (Weddle) Costanzo. He is survived by his mother-in-love Pauline Muse Weddle (Kenneth) children Nicole Costanzo Medina (Héctor) and Jamie Costanzo (Zsuzsi), sister Kathy Costanzo, brothers Joe Costanzo (Frances) and Michael Costanzo (Kathy); and his grandchildren Klara, Adriel, Ana, John, and Tobi.  

Little Jim adored his older sister Kathy and she encouraged and cared for him as her buddy. He loved to play sports with his younger brother Joe and then later with little Michael. That family of 6 was led by their strong Italian father who was a pastor and chaplain, and their smart, sweet-natured mother who created a nurturing home for the family. They had many grand adventures traveling to other countries and even living for a year in Scotland! When he was older, he finally left home to go to college where God orchestrated a serendipitous phone call to his future, tenacious and artistic wife, Donna.

In the early years of marriage Jim joined the Sea-Bees of the Navy and was stationed in California and later Alaska. They then settled in Somerset, Kentucky where they spent nearly fifty three years of marriage, close to family. Jim was able to live out his dream of driving tractors around his farm and always offering a helping hand to those that needed it. That farm was 63 acres of beloved woodland and pasture.  As an avid tree farmer, he and Donna together planted 4,000 white pines to raise as Christmas trees, but most of them grew to become an enchanted forest. 

Jim was a frugal man and he loved passing on his vast knowledge to his growing family, first Nicki and then Jamie. The family often found old friends and made new ones at garage sales all around town. Their Saturday mornings were always filled with yard-saling, and with an impeccable eye for antique furniture, they collected a house and barn full of brag-worthy treasures and endless entertainment for the children. He used those negotiation skills and strong work ethic to teach at Oakwood Residential Facility, Somerset Vocational School, and later Pulaski County High School.  

Jim loved being outdoors, walking along the creek of their farm or looking for what fruits were ripe for snacks. Together the family grew a small garden to eat and share with friends and Jim loved using all his farm equipment to take care of the earth he was entrusted with. The man knew his tractors! He especially loved taking grandchildren to the National Farm Machinery Show to experience the wonder he felt with his favorite machines.

And oh those grandchildren! How he loved when they came to visit and delight him with their antics. He would take them for rides on his tractor and play endless games of Beep Beep with his famous overalls. His joy was multiplied when he and Donna moved to Louisville to be closer to the ones they loved.    

Those who knew Jim will remember him for his infectious smile, one-liners, industriousness, and restoring life to antiques. He also made lasting impacts to those in need through his more than 26 gallons of blood and platelet donations to the Kentucky Blood Center. He will be sorely missed, but is held in our hearts forever.

The family will welcome friends at the Lake Cumberland Funeral Home 1046 W. Highway 80, Somerset, Kentucky on Tuesday, November 18 from 11:00am - 1:00pm, with the memorial service beginning at 1:00pm. Full Military Honors conducted by American Legion Post #38 Honor Guard.  Burial will be at Mill Springs National Cemetery.

You are welcome to view the obituary and offer condolences to the family at our website:  www.LakeCumberlandFuneralService.com 

In lieu of flowers please consider making a blood donation at your local blood bank.  Memorial contributions can also be sent to support ALS research at als.org, Alzheimer’s research at donorservices.alz.org, or Bibles purchased at gideon.org. in memory of James Costanzo.

Lake Cumberland Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for James Costanzo.