Brian R. Costello

As spring swings into full force, I find myself thinking back to a year ago as I sat at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden soaking up the sun and the beauty of the spring flowers among me. I thought to myself, how perfect, could it get any better than this? Little did any of us know what was in store for us just two weeks later.
I found myself back at the garden last week under the same beautiful sun and blooming spring flowers. The warm breeze blowing the sweet smell of the lilac trees which...

To Mom, Kristin, Bethany, Family and friends

It's hard to believe that Dad has been gone for almost a year now. Gone physically yes but is still with us every day of our lives. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him and miss him. Wether it be better like having a dream of him and just shaking his hand or giving him a hug. Other days sitting on the bench at hockey in between shifts and talking about the old days playing hockey together at beaver. Or it be...

You’ll Never Walk Alone
I’ll never forget the first time I met Brian. Bethany and I had been together for a month or so and it was time to meet the in-laws. I was pretty nervous and had told Bethany I didn’t want to stay long. Brian and Janie were so hospitable and made me feel very welcome. It was only five minutes into our visit when the topic of conversation turned to the beautiful game, and that was it. Brian and I headed into the back room to...

Dearest Costello Family,
For those of you who do not know me, I am Georgiann Lucas. Thank you for this opportunity to share these thoughts with you.
I was blessed to be best friends with Brian and Janie since college days at Duquesne almost forty years ago. In thinking of Brian’s life, I view it as if I am looking at a film of his life. I am seeing him and Janie and the children in little clips in different places and times.
...

Janie,

Not a day goes by that I dont think of Brian. I am reminded of his love in the littlest things. When you lose a loved one that is so close it is hard not to think of them everyday. I can always remeber Brian with a big smile on his face and wide open arms ready to give a hug to anyone who needed one. Each time I stepped out on the lacrosse field this season I knew that Brian was in heaven cheering for me! Not a game went by that I didnt look up to the sky and say "love you...

We've had a lot of time to think about the past and figure out our future without dad in our lives. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that what I do now is because of what dad taught me. Kristin, Justin, and I all inherited one of dad's passions, whether it be photography, gardening, music, soccer, or hockey. His love for these things made us love them as well. Last year he took the time to dig up flowers from his yard he knew I loved and I transplanted them in my yard. How...

Dear Janie, This is my fourth attempt... I still find it hard to believe that Brian is gone. We mourn for our own loss when our loved ones pass. I have learned that for me,that the years that pass do not soften the pain much. We always will have a void in our hearts that can't be filled. I loved Brian as a cousin, friend ,mentor, and role model. I do sleep well knowing that he is with our other family members who passed too young. Mark can now play his practical jokes on his big brother...

Dearest Janie and Kids:

Janie - you, Brian and I go way, way back. Many a lazy summer evening was spent hanging out together, whether playing a game or just doing nothing. The "last stop" on Halloween night was always a great way to end a fun night. Later years still found us playing games - even if it meant passing babies around while we did.

Loved to make Brian crack a smile, especially when we girls were being a little on the "not so nice" side. Always wondered...

Dear Jane,Kristin,Bethany and Justin

There is not enough time or space to tell you all the things I remember about Brian and our friendship. It was early in the 1950's when the Olivers and the Costellos moved to Stanford. There were no other kids our age so it didn't take long before we found each other. The one thing we had in common from the start was that we both loved to play ball, and of course there was the stone quarry field. We cut grass with mowers that had no motors...