Salvatore Louis Costabile

1934 - 2025

Sal Costabile of Chevy Chase, MD, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2025. He was born on December 24, 1934, the youngest of nine to Italian immigrants Gaetano and Maria in Hazleton, PA. He moved to Washington, DC, to attend Georgetown University. He made many lifelong friends there and fell in love with both his future wife and the city during his student years. He learned early on how to attend and throw a great dinner party. He felt indebted to the Jesuits and his many mentors who shepherded him through to graduation and beyond. He went on to earn a Masters of Library Science degree from Catholic University.

Sal worked for GU's library, the National Library of Medicine, and the American Association of Museums. He was an adjunct professor of Library Science at the University of Maryland for many years. In 1974, he started his own library consulting firm, Costabile Associates, Inc. Sal created a corporate culture of excellence and fairness as well as compassion and understanding. For 47 years, he and his many associates worked to improve private and government libraries of all sizes here in the U.S. and internationally.

He was a man of great faith who loved time with family and friends, especially when combined with good food and wine.

He leaves behind his wife of almost 68 years, Mary Rae; his children Chris (Carol), Katie Katinas (John), Beth Dahut (John), and David (Eliza);10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. HOYA SAXA!

Please join us Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. for a Funeral Mass, wake preceding at 10 a.m., at the Church of Christ the King, Silver Spring, MD. Donations can be made to Georgetown University Library or D.C. Central Kitchen.