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Joe Costa Obituary
Joe Costa passed away on February 16, 2004, in Arcata at the age of 91. He was born in Arcata and was a lifelong resident of Humboldt County.
During World War II, Joe worked as a journeyman welder for Chicago Bridge & Iron in Eureka, California. Following the war, he was a co-founder of Arcata Freight and Express. In 1953, he founded Joe Costa Trucking, which has remained a major employer on the North Coast for the last 50 years.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia and four brothers and one sister.
He is survived by his wife, Zella; a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Robert Thomas; one brother; two sisters; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service for the family will be held at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Humboldt, 2010 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA.
Arrangements are under the direction of Paul’s Chapel/Pierce Mortuary Chapels, 1070 ‘H’ Street, Arcata, CA.
Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joe Costa
Helen mason
March 6, 2004
We will all miss Joe driving by and stopping by for visit. And not seeing his flag flying.
With Deepest Sympathy
The Mason Family
Ron Borges
March 4, 2004
Dear Zella,Bob,Bonnie and family. Sorry to learn of the passing of Joe. It was never often enough that I would run into Joe somewhere and when I did it always made my day brighter. Of course, most of our discussion was about trucking and people involved in the business. And everytime we talked I learned something from Joe. He really had good words of wisdom,because he had been there and done it. You can rest assured that those red and white trucks rolling down the road will always carry the name of Joe Costa on their doors. Joe is in a better place now, but his name and memory will live on in Humboldt County for years to come.
With deepest sympathy, God Bless. Ron Borges and family
Quentin and Nyla Lynes
February 27, 2004
We both will miss Joe. He was an unusual man. The world was a better place for his kindness to others. Joe was responsible for getting the two of us together and he never let Quent forget it. Zella was the love of his life and never tired of telling it. Rest in peace, Joe.
Quentin and Nyla Lynes
February 27, 2004
We too will miss Joe. He was a great man who did so many good deeds for many people, never expecting praise, it was just his good heart. He was responsible for getting us together and loved to remind Quent of the fact. He loved his Zella so much, and rightly so.
Rest in Peace, Joe.
Bill and Cheryl Stonebarger
February 26, 2004
Please know that our thoughts are with your family at this time.
Stan Moyle
February 26, 2004
Dear Costa family I am very sorry to here of your loss my heart goes out to.
Tony Gilbert
February 24, 2004
Joe Costa was the only Boss that I ever had, He called me son and some times he added other words after son. I was pretty wild in my younger age but he was able to tame me and gave me a chance to
succeed in the trucking business.
I will miss you CHIEF.
Tony & Pat Gilbert
Erin McClure-Moxon
February 24, 2004
I am sorry to hear about Uncle Joe he will be missed by many.
Erin McClure-Moxon and Tom Moxon
Jim & Linda Spallino
February 24, 2004
We are very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
John Hutchins
February 23, 2004
Some of my earliest memories included Joe. As a young child, my father and he were partners. Joe was a special person and will be missed by all. For myself and my mother, Ariel Hutchins, we grieve for you Zella, but rejoice in the many happy memories of Joe.
Joe and Betty Maciel
February 23, 2004
Joe gave me my first truck driving job in 1949. He had always been a friend and a person I always thought fondly of. Joe will be greatly missed by all of those who knew him. Even my grandsons will miss Joe with the llamas.
Brenda & Dan Gilbert
February 22, 2004
To The Family of Joe Costa
We are very sorry to hear of the loss of Joe Costa. My Husband has worked at Joe Costa Trucking for over 30 years. I only met Joe Costa a few times, but everytime I saw him--He never changed much. He had that "Dick Clark" way of aging, just like Stacy Sacchi. He was known as a fine man in this community and his name will be respected for a long time.
With Love,
Dan, Brenda, Lindsay and Adam Gilbert
Ray S Woods
February 22, 2004
I have known Joe for 50+ years. He was a friend I could look up to and will miss our visits at the V&N Burger Bar! My sympathy goes out to all the family.
Elean Heldt
February 21, 2004
Joe has been a special friend to our family for fifty years. He will always be remembered with love. Our deepest sympathy to the family.
Bill and Lori Acorn
February 21, 2004
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Bill Acorn and Family
Evert and Iona Ross
February 20, 2004
Joe will be missed in our neighborhood more than any one can realize. You were one of a kind Joe.
Mary B. Dias
February 20, 2004
Dear Zella, Bonnie & Family,
Joe was the best boss I ever had (he had to be to put up with me for 17 years)! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Mary
Mike & Carol Combs
February 20, 2004
What a gentleman. He always had a good word. I am back here in Park City Utah visiting and I was here when Johnny died so I guess this is not good.Sure will miss seeing him. Zella our thoughts are with you and the family Lv Mike and Carol
Jim Brown
February 20, 2004
Dear Costa family, Jan and my thoughts are with you all. Joe ran a great outfit that hauled more lumber and chips than the biggest of mills can produce. He was dependable as a trucker and a friend. Zella will recall that only a month or so ago he was teasing me at lunch at the Northcoast Inn for all my grey hair. We shared at lot of laughs over the years and I am grateful to have known such a great guy. God bless.
Bob and Terri Wallis
February 20, 2004
Your thoughts and prayers go out to you. Joe will be missed very much. He was such a kind and caring man.
Axel & Evelyn Backman
February 20, 2004
Sorry, for your loss. It is a loss for all of us. Joe was a great
person and respected by all who knew him.
SHARON MOXON
February 20, 2004
I have known Joe for the past 15 years. He was a very kind and wonderful person. Joe was never too busy to listen to or help a neighbor. He enjoyed the Arcata bottoms and was very fond of all his neighbors, one such neighbor was Grace Moxon. When ever he was in his shop, working on yet another project, he could hear Mrs. Moxon yell down to Joe to "Come have a cup of coffee and visit". Joe had a lot of respect for Grace. Joe was always a great one when it came to buying Boy Scout pop corn and candy from my son and two other little Moxon boys as well, or simply enjoying warm summer days in his shop, watching my little girl taking riding lessons, sharing how hard she worked at it. I will always miss Joe, especially on my walks.
Wild Bill Place
February 20, 2004
I,ve known Joe since I was a small child. When he delivered our groceries and chicken feed to Fieldbrook. After going blind at the age of 11 in 1953.I road thousand of miles on Joes trucks back and forth to Berkley. He even bought me a plane ticket in the 1955 flood. A wonderful person Joe Costa.
Merlin and Frances Giese
February 19, 2004
Dear Frances and family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved brother. Our condolences to you and your family
Tony Bartolomeu
February 19, 2004
Joe has been an inspiration in my life.And I will never forget him. He has been and always will be someone that I look up to.
Geneve Scarbrough
February 19, 2004
I got to known Joe when I worked at the V.& N Burger bar. I have poured so much coffee for him .I had worked there for 27 years. And have got to know him in 27 years I will miss him.
Wayne Giori
February 19, 2004
I was very saddened to hear of Joe passing,I remember Joe full of life, always on the go he always had a smile on his face and either telling a joke or having laughter with whoever he was talking to. My mom and dad Emilio Giori and Rena Giori thought very highly of Joe he was a very kind man and very charming to talk to, my parents knew Joe for many years especially my dad he will be missed. Wayne and Gina GIORI and family
Fred Sundberg
February 19, 2004
Dear Costa Family,
I am very saddend to hear of the passing of Joe. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I have enjoyed having coffee with Joe at the Burger Bar every afternoon for the past few years, and I think I speak for all of us "old farts" that we will miss him very much. He was a very good man.
Sincerely,
Fred Sundberg
Vern & Ruth Villier
February 19, 2004
Joe and my late husband Ed Schieberl, were real good friends. (We had Green Bay Scale Co., so we did a lot of business with Joe.) Joe was a good friend to all our family members, he was like family.He will be missed.
Dino and Laurie Richmond and family
February 19, 2004
We our very sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
gary and mardell blickenstaff
February 19, 2004
our hearts are with all of you
Lee Hawkins
February 19, 2004
Our sincere condolences to the Costa Family. Joe was a real pillar of strength to this community . He gave so much to so many for so long. He will be sorely missed. The Lee Hawkins Family
Carlos Avelar
February 19, 2004
Dear Zella, Bonnie Bob and family I was very sorry to hear of Joe's death. He was a wonderful man, full of life,kind and very thoughtful man. Even though we are a few years apart in age, I always admired Joe as a true friend and always enjoyed talking to him here at Murphys and around town at various places that I would run into him. God Bless you all! We will all miss Joe! Carlos
Dale Mitchell
February 19, 2004
I am sorry for your great loss. I didn't know him well but knew the family members, John & Gene who both worked with my Dad, Dean, on the Arcata Mad River railroad together. May God bless your family at this time of great sorrow.
Melvin A. (Skip) Krei
February 19, 2004
Dear Costa Family -
My heart was saddened when I heard that Joe had passed away. A finer man had never walked this earth. With that great big smile you couldn't help but like him and if he knew you, you were his friend. I've known Joe for 50 years. As a boy I was his paperboy and years later he signed for my first class A driver's license when I went to work hauling logs. Now I take my grand children to visit Joe's llamas. He'll be forever missed, and never forgotten. Mel Krei
Hon. Ronald D Rowland Ret.
February 19, 2004
Joe "IS" a man I truly respect. His big smile and positive attitude was an inspiration to all those he came into contact with. It is fitting our community was exposed to this fine person for 91 years. His presence will be long remembered.
Jack & Alice Buehler
February 19, 2004
Joe will be greatly missed. He was a wondeful man. God Bless!!
Celeste Mulcahy
February 19, 2004
Joe delivered milk for my grandparents dairy on the Arcata Bottom when he was ten years old. It was called Pacific Dairy and my mother, Marseille Spetz M.D., was a few years behind him in school. I most remember him at Toni's Restaurant where he brought me much joy. He was always happy and took great care of his wife, wherein he would leave to take her to her hair appointments. I was so impressed that a man loved his wife so much. When I couldn't find a ride back to Davis ten years ago, he offered to find me a ride on one of his Joe Costa trucks. Such a gentle, kind and caring man.
Carl Benson
February 19, 2004
I'll never forget what you tought me.
Ben Hurd
February 19, 2004
Joe will always be remembered as a wonderful person and a good friend.
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