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Tom Costello, along
with his wife Bari, was a founding member of
the Antioch Historical Society and a current board member, VP of
the Friends of Roswell Butler Hard House, Rivertown
Preservation Society Founding Member and more. Together Tom
and Bari have supported the Historical Society for
many, many years.
Tom was an
outdoorsman who generously gave his time and energy back to
a community he loved. He was a founding member and current
board member of the Antioch Historical Society, member of
the Antioch Rivertown Preservation Society, the California
Striped Bass Association and an Honorary "Jack of all
trades" of the Women's Club of Antioch. Tom loved the
outdoors, fishing and had a passion for the Delta.
Tom is survived by
his wife of 44 years, Bari, son David and daughter-in-law Marie, and
two grandchildren; his sister Patricia Costello, nieces and
nephews and many countless friends.
A measure
of man is who he leaves behind. Reprinted below is a portion
of Dave Costello's tribute to the fine man that was Tom
Costello.
Dad,
Funerals and
services are sometimes sad and sometimes not so sad. I
always said I wanted our family services to be a celebration
of life. Easier said than done. I always said when it was
time for you to go that I wanted to be prepared, rather than
sudden. You don't always get what you want. And I always
shied away from death because I reject death, but death
doesn't reject us. You were here and now you are gone.
I miss you
already. The rock of our family. I always knew I could call
you to bounce ideas off of you and get the straight answer.
Sometimes I wanted the comfort answer, but I always got the
direct truth. I always knew I could ask you how to fix
something or do something related to the outdoors and knew
one day, I'd run out of time. I knew that those camping
trips that we missed would cause time regret some day. I
knew it. I knew that one day I would be stuck trying to pull
a fifth wheel and wouldn't have you to call. That's life for
you....happiness blended with regret.
And when I'd
come across your pictures in our home, or tell the kids
stories about growing up, it was great. It was great to have
a grandpa in their lives. I'll always miss the "How you
doing Mateo?" the special love you had for your girl
Olivia..."your sweetie" or "Livy" as you warmly called her.
You also cared for Marie...accepted her into our family and
had a nice relationship with her for 22 years. But of
course, your true companion was the "Momster." You relied on
her and she relied on you. You were her rock too, no sorry,
her boulder and she was yours as well. It was great to see.
From the kisses when you left the house to the support you
gave each other during daily life occurrences. Of course,
rock is an understatement as you were always strong from
your caves to the muscle above your elbow to the way you
handled day to day life.
When events
like this happen to someone, people often say that their
lives flash in front of them, but for some reason, all I
could think about was that Cabo trip we took together years
back....Why, because I realize that was your heaven. You
were always the leader in organizing trips and that was
terrific to see. But that Cabo trip was special, as it was
my opportunity to spend some time in your heaven with you.
You took great pride in taking me there after I finished
business school and we really had a great time together. But
that was you...very generous and giving with what you had.
And, on that
trip, I learned the great appreciation about catch and
release. So today we obey God's desire and your wish. We
caught you for 71 years and we will now release you to your
new home...The Delta. And while the Delta isn't exactly
Cabo...it is where you belong. At home, near home, in peace
and in your great outdoors.
Enjoy the
rest of your life as you will always be alive within mine.
....and while I didn't always say it along the way, I say it
now...."I will forever love you Dad." Dave
1500 W. Fourth
Street
Antioch, CA 94509
(925) 757-1326
antiochhistoricalsociety@comcast.net
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