Richard J. Costello

Richard (Dick) Costello of Mt. Dora, FL passed away Nov. 1, 2019. He was born in Cincinnati, July 6, 1928 to Richard, Sr. & Anne Costello. He graduated from Xavier University, and earned an M.S. in Marine Biology from Duke University. An Army veteran, his adventurous nature took him across the US & overseas, including to his beloved Africa. Dick's main vocation was as a science teacher in Broward County, Florida, where he taught at Chaminade High, Parkway Middle & Boyd Anderson High Schools. Dick was very active in the teachers union and championed desegregation. As a young man he worked in the Cincinnati Zoo and other animal parks across the U.S. After retiring he opened Highlands Crossroads bookshop in Mount Dora, Florida. Dick was dedicated to the environment and natural history. His passions included reptiles (especially snakes), jazz music, book collecting & celebrating his Irish heritage. He worked on the family genealogy long before that became a popular pastime. His other talents included drawing & writing, earning the affection of his writers group in Mount Dora. Dick's interest in science was freely shared with those around him. It's no surprise that his oldest and youngest earned PhD.'s in chemistry and wildlife biology (respectively), and one of his nephews holds an important post at the Cincinnati Zoo. He took us to the very first Earth Day celebration in the 70's and instilled a thoughtful stewardship of the earth & nature in all of his children. His volunteer work with the teachers union taught us concern for workers rights, to fight for the underdog and to seek equality for all. He is survived by his former wife Mary Joy; children Tim (Kim)Costello, Lucy (David) Wiehler, Betty Ann (Bob) Mathers, Brian (Maria) Costello, Cecily (Mark) Haroldson; grandsons Alex Wiehler & Zane Haroldson; sister Mary Ann Jenike and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by brothers John & Robert. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Audubon Society, or other environmental causes.