John Costello

1925 - 2016

John F. Costello

Wappingers Falls, N.Y. - John F. Costello, 90, of the Village of Wappingers Falls passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

He was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. April 25, 1925, son of James J. Costello and Anna Hawthorne Costello. On July 2, 1950 at St. Mary's in Wappingers Falls he married Gloria Birkenmeyer who survives at home. A local resident all of his life, John attended Wappinger Central School. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. He served as a signalman 1st class on board the U.S.S. Missouri when the Japanese formally surrendered. John worked for IBM for 35 years as a manager of shipping and receiving. John was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1646, the Poughkeepsie ELKS Lodge 275, Wappingers VFW 5913, and the IBM Quarter Century Club. Most of his life, he enjoyed golfing, bowling, watching sports, and cooking. John was an avid Yankee fan and attended many games. In 2000, he traveled to Ireland and visited County Mayo, the ancestral home of the Costello's. John was honored in Washington D.C as a WWII veteran through the Wounded Warriors Project Honor Flight in 2015. On May 17, 2015 he was welcomed to Yankee Stadium where he stood on home plate as "his" New York Yankees saluted him for his military service.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by his children Patricia McNamee and her companion Michael VanVoorhis of Fishkill, NY, Michael Costello of Oldsmar, FL, David and his wife Patricia Costello of Wappingers Falls, NY, and Kevin Costello of Oldsmar, FL; his grandchildren Ryan McNamee, Michael Costello, Kate McNamee, Kelly and her husband Dennis Baccomo, David Costello, Bridget Costello, and Clare Costello; his great grandchildren Riana McNamee, Michael Hargrave, Mikala Costello, Camron Costello, Jacob Baccomo, and Gwenith Baccomo; his sisters Jane LeRoy and Elizabth Costello of Wappingers Falls; sister-in-laws Betty Costello of Hyde Park, Mary Rodriguez of Montana, and Bernice Gruhl of Poughkeepsie; and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother James Costello, his sister Margaret Costello, his in-laws Charles LeRoy Jr., Adolph "Birky" and his wife Anne Birkenmeyer, Ann "Terry" and her husband George Constantine, Joseph Rodriguez, and Kenneth Gruhl.

Family and friends may call at the Delehanty Funeral Home, 64 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, Sunday April 17th 3-8pm.

A mass of Christian Burial will be offered Monday, April 18th at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Church, 11 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Wappingers Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. To send a condolence or for directions, visit www.delehantyfuneral.com