David Costello
November 28, 1948 ~ January 25, 2026
Born in: Lowell, MA
Resided in: Freeport, ME
Freeport – David Costello, 77, passed away on January 25, 2026, in Portland. David was born on November 28, 1948, in Lowell, MA, son of the late Clement Costello and Margaret (McPadden) Ireland.
David grew up in Lowell, and attended a boarding school in Switzerland during his formative years, where he learned to speak French. He later attended Buxton School in Williamstown, MA, and he furthered his Education at Boston University, then later pursued an art degree at San Francisco Art Institute.
He worked as the art director for his father, the owner of the Lowell Sun newspaper, where he was able to showcase his creativity through his cartoons. This lead to him starting his business, Artoons, where his graphic arts and sense of humor flourished. His work transitioned to more spiritual, Christian based art, and then in his more recent years after moving to Maine, his more prominent work featured beautiful landscapes inspired by his surroundings.
David met, Jeanne, his wife of 50 years, in France when he was visiting his mother. It was love at first sight when she walked in to a party barefoot, and the rest is history. They travelled worldwide in their time together with incredible stories to match, and the legacy of their love, and commitment only grew with time.
One of his favorite hobbies was sailing, and he and his wife enjoyed time in nature, random day trips, spending time with family, puzzles, eating and cooking delicious food, and most of all time with each other.
David was a kind hearted, deeply loving man. He truly loved people, especially his family. He was an incredible husband, father, friend, and all around human being. He was extremely generous, spiritual, and was always there to listen or talk. Even in the toughest of times, especially then, he always kept his sense of humor – which he was famous for.
David will be deeply missed, and the impact he made in whomever he met will leave a lasting impression.
David was predeceased by his sister, Antonia Costello. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jeanne (Gonnet) Costello; daughters, Olivia Mariani and her fiancé, Rob Leskowsky, Isabelle and Julia Costello; grandchildren, Antonia Mariani, Maggie and Liam Donaldson; and many beloved extended family members.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 4pm – 5pm on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the new Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland; a Celebration of Life will begin at 5pm.
Services
Visiting Hours: Friday, January 30, 2026 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center
300 Allen Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2026-01-30 16:00:00
2026-01-30 05:00:00
DavidCostelloVisiting Hours
Visiting Hours
300 Allen Avenue,Portland, Maine 04103
Celebration of Life: Friday, January 30, 2026 5:00 pm
Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center
300 Allen Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2026-01-30 17:00:00
2026-01-30 17:00:00
DavidCostelloCelebration of Life
Celebration of Life
300 Allen Avenue,Portland, Maine 04103
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Sandra & Jan xxxxx So sorry to hear the sad news but we will always be together ., friends forever🥰. Our thoughts and hearts are with you Jeanne and with your family- till we meet again we send our love to you xxxxxxx
My heart will always be thankful.
❤️🎻🤗Ruth רות
Dry of wit, kind of heart, timeless friend. A plus tarde, mon vieux
Glad to catch up with him in Maine. Looking forward to our next lunch . . . .
With fond memories, Your Lexington Neighbors
I am sad to hear this news, but we know the promises of God are true. So many times his paintings have touched me. Imagine what he could paint for us now! My thoughts are with you and your family, Jeanne.
…..We all knew David growing up
on Fairmount St and later from his time at the Sun.
BEST TO ALL FAMILY MEMBERS
SCANNELL FAMILY
LOWELL, MA.
Sincere sympathy to David’s family. He and Toni were two childhood pals as we all grew up on Fairmount Street in Lowell. although many years have passed, I still remember all the great times we had together. David was always kind and fun loving. He was one of my first friends. Mary Ellen (Pollard) Fitzpatrick
Knew David back on fairmont st in Lowell always a wonderful and thought full soul RIP
Never met David but he seems to been a wonderful person. He certainly lived a Blessed life. He was very generous and kind. He will be greatly missed im sure.
Never met David but he seems to been a wonderful person. He certainly lived a Blessed life. He was very generous and kind. He will be greatly missed im sure.
We didn’t meet that much thanks to the Atlantic Ocean beetwen us.
You were the American uncle and godfather, the one Who loved art, paintings, Who was always smiling and giving you self estim.
You are now dancing with the angels, I’m sure you chose a special music already for this moment.
Danse well and long, you’re familly already miss you, they’ll see you dancing with the stars each time a shooting star will shine in the night.
May Abba hold you close, Jeanne. His beloved son David is home now. We who remember thank God for you both!
My heart and thoughts are with my dear cousins and my beloved Aunt Jeanne. Sending you all my love. Tendres câlins.
Dear Jeanne and family, We are praying for comfort and strength for you during this difficult time. David’s artwork blesses all who come into our home. I can only imagine the creativity that is flowing now. Love from Dick and Susan
David was “my American uncle” .
I have so many fond memories of your visits to Croix-Rousse and am so sad with this deep loss.
I remember his gentleness and calm in (almost) every situation, his smile, his genuine and honest gaze, his humor, his artistic soul, his funny t-shirts, and also his now well-known expression “the hour when the cows light up” … All these wonderful moments we shared will forever remain in my heart. Sending you all my love.
David
Quel beau frère charmant et délicieux
Tellement délicat, sensible et plein d’humour
Un artiste en toutes choses
Tu as conquis le cœur et l’âme de ma sœur pour l’Eternité
Tu as conquis toute sa famille
Jamais je n’oublierai combien tu as su rendre Jeanne heureuse
Olivia Julia et Isabelle, votre papa était un homme formidable
Bien évidemment nous serons avec vous demain par la pensée
que son âme repose dans la Paix
Bon voyage David …
Que tes peintures soient le théâtre de ta nouvelle vie
Une parole biblique pour toi:
“Rendons gloire à Dieu, le Père de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ! Il est le Père plein de bonté et le Dieu qui nous encourage toujours. Il nous donne du courage dans toutes nos souffrances. Ainsi, il nous rend capables d’encourager tous ceux qui souffrent, et nous leur donnons le courage que nous-mêmes, nous recevons de Dieu. En effet, comme nous participons aux nombreuses souffrances du Christ, de la même façon, nous recevons beaucoup d’encouragements par le Christ. Si nous souffrons, c’est pour vous encourager et pour que vous soyez sauvés. Si nous sommes encouragés, c’est pour vous encourager à supporter les mêmes souffrances que nous. Nous sommes vraiment pleins de confiance quand nous pensons à vous. En effet, vous participez à nos souffrances, mais nous le savons, vous participez en même temps à l’encouragement que nous recevons.”
2 Corinthiens 1:3-7 PDV2017
Alors un chant pour David et toi qui s’appelle ‘Vous bondirez de joie’.
sur YouTube tape ceci:
“cgonnet87 JEM322”
Gros bisous d’Angleterre
Clément
I remember out times together at Buxton and then an Alumni gathering in 2018. I live in Lowell where David grew up so we talked about Lowell and his family newspaper there. It turns out that we have friends in common here. I remember David in school and later as a kind, fun, but also thoughtful guy. We have very different political and religious ideas but we laughed about that and had fun with one another. Being with David was joyful and thoughtful. I am very sad that I can\’t see him again in this world.
Que le Seigneur vous comble de sa présence comme il le fait pour David en ce moment même.
Ma prière pour vous ce matin « Que le Dieu de l’espérance vous remplisse de toute joie et de toute paix dans la foi, pour que vous abondiez en espérance, par la puissance du Saint Esprit ! » (Romain 15:13).
Avec toute mon affection.
Étienne
We met only briefly through SPM. We loved hearing of the adventures David shared. God bless you and your family, Jeanne, with peace, comfort and many opportunities to share precious memories you have made together.
I’m just learning of David’s passing. Sending love and prayers.
I cherish our memories at the paper.
Rest in Peace, Dear David.
With love,
Nancy