Thomas Joseph "Tom" Costin

Thomas Joseph "Tom" Costin

Thomas Joseph "Tom" Costin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and honorary mayor of every room he ever walked into, died peacefully on Saturday, October 25, surrounded by his family.

Born in New York City on 98th Street to Denis and Helen Costin, Tom was the proud son of an MTA bus driver and the devoted brother to Dennis, John, Jimmy, Terry, Mary, and Helen. He grew up Irish Catholic, attending St. Francis de Sales Grade School and Rice High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in Alaska, where the only thing colder than the wind was the coffee.

Thanks to the GI Bill, he earned his degree from Fordham University and promptly charmed his way into both a successful career and the heart of Belinda Catherine Clancy, his beloved wife. They built a beautiful life together, eventually moving "far west" from New York, first to Reading, Pennsylvania, then to Toledo, Ohio, where he flourished as a devoted husband and father to his daughters, Belinda and Mari Kate, and to his son and namesake, Tom. He was the kind of father who would do anything he could for his kids if they asked, and he worked hard to give them the life he did not have.

A born salesman, Tom spent decades leading sales teams across the battery industry-from VP roles at Barret Battery and Varta, to President and Chief Sales Officer of Costin Industrial Equipment. He was simply the best boss you could ask for. He lit up every room he was in-he could strike up a conversation with a traffic cone and walk away with a sale.

He was a champion of family, famously ensuring "Costins show up" for each other, and he personally kept the connection to the Costins and extended Clan in Ireland and New York strong. Tom was the best man in his son's wedding, a great dance partner, a patient bike trainer, and a driving instructor. He was their Santa Claus-for them and all their cousins.

Whether it was on the golf course (where he once nailed a hole-in-one at Brandywine) or at the local Knights of Columbus meeting (where he proudly served as Grand Knight of the St. Rose, Perrysburg, chapter), Tom brought warmth, humor, and integrity wherever he went. He never said a bad word about anyone and always found something good to say. He was a gentle corrector who always offered to pay the bill-even when his children were adults.

Tom was most proud of his family-especially his grandchildren, Máeve, Camille, and Sean, who brought him endless joy.

To his kids, he was the best of Dads. He was simply the best man, period.

He will be missed more than words can say-but he'll never be forgotten. We hope heaven has a golf course, a corner booth, a place to listen to Irish music, and someone who needs to buy a truckload of batteries.

Visitation will be at Maison-Dardenne Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street, Maumee, Ohio, 43537, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 East Front Street, Perrysburg, Ohio, 43551, at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, November 7, 2025, with burial following at St. Joseph Cemetery, Maumee, Ohio.

If you want, wear green to celebrate Tom. That was his favorite color. It also represents his pride and love for his Irish heritage.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Tom's name to The Knights of Columbus Council # 7978, St. Rose, Perrysburg, Ohio, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements were handled by Maison-Dardenne Walker Funeral Homes.