Peter M Costello
September 22, 1928 ~ November 14, 2023
Resided in:
Scarborough, ME
Scarborough- CDR. Peter M. Costello, USN, Ret., 95, of Rhonda Drive, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.
Peter was born in Portland, Maine on September 22, 1928 the son of the late Peter M. Sr. and Mary W. (Moran) Costello. He attended local schools graduating from South Portland High School, earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan and his Master’s Degree from the Naval Post Graduate School.
On October 12, 1950 he married the love of his life Lucille V. Garneau.
Peter started his career in the United States Navy in 1946 as one of the Flying Midshipman, earned his wings of gold as a naval aviator and had a 30-year career. During his career he served in Rhode Island, Florida, Virginia, California, Michigan, Washington state and Massachusetts. Following his retirement in 1976, Peter and Lucille returned to Maine and made their home in Scarborough.
In his spare time, Peter enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Nonesuch River Golf Club, he served on the board of the Scarborough Sanitation District, and was a member of American Legion, Dupont Post #82 in Gorham, NH. He was a communicant of St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Scarborough. He loved to spend his Saturdays going to yard & garage sales always looking for the great find. He was an avid reader and loved anything to do with history. Peter always looked forward to the his annual 4th of July gathering for family and friends. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, caring father, grandfather and great grandfather and a man who was very proud of his service to his country.
Peter was predeceased by his wife, Lucille V. Costello in 2018; a son, John Costello in 2019. He is survived by two daughters, Mary Costello of Westbrook and Kate and her husband Chris Donahue of NY; two sons, Michael Costello of MA and CAPT Patrick Costello USN, Ret. and his wife Susan of VA; a brother, Hugh Costello of South Portland; nine grandchildren, Sean Costello, Michelle Costello, Matthew Costello, Andrew Donahue, Allison Heksch, Kirsten Sistare, Michael Costello, Stephen Costello and Ryan Costello; three great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours celebrating Peter’s life will be held on Sunday, November 19, 2023 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the chapel at 10:15am on Monday, November 20, 2023 followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough, ME. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Peter’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
Those who wish may make contributions in Peter’s memory to: Scarborough Food Pantry, 167 Black Point Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
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Thank you everyone for showing love and support to our family and to my grandpa cdr Peter M Costello usn ret. If you are unaware, I’m Peter’s grandson, Andy. I’m proud to speak today because Grandpa has been a great teacher of life lessons over the years, and we’re all so lucky to have had him for as long as we did. So here are a few things about him that I want you all to know…
Grandpa had a tough, strong exterior, but those who knew him know that he was truly a soft, tender, caring soul who gave the best hugs and amazing lessons. One of the many lessons I learned over the years was about being prepared. For example, if you ever called his house and weren’t ready when he barked “Costello!” you might have been hung up on instantly. When you made a choice to act, you’d better be prepared to do that. I’ve often found myself needing to make fast choices with a rapid “go” time, and usually things turn out well. Thank you, grandpa.
Grandpa was smart as all get out, and he knew the easiest way to get things done. For example, as a child I remember how cool it was to earn nickels to quarters for picking up nails after the new roof was installed; looking back, it was basically a useful way to clean up his yard and motivate his grandchildren to success. Plans like these taught me how to take pride in a job well done, AND he got a beautiful yard while forming our good work ethic. Thank you grandpa
Although I am an Eagle Scout and learned quite a bit that way, Grandpa had “old ways” and taught me better land navigation than the Boy Scouts ever could have; he had a methodical system when it came plotting the perfect course…and that worked out really well for garage sales. When grandma put something on his list, he would find it…no matter how odd. (I mean, our families all have hot dog steamers, do we not?) I also watched him haggle a price, as a true Mainer does. So for planning, navigation, task completion, and effectiveness, Thank you Grandpa.
After my grandma passed in 2018, my relationship with my Grandfather grew as I spent more time on Rhonda Drive. He taught more patience and self-compassion as he watched me work around the house, making multiple mistakes and learning from them. This came back to get him eventually, though. I mean, I had to figure out how many times do I let Grandpa shock himself while winterizing a tractor battery? The answer is…many times too many. But we learned some things together. Thank you grandpa
I’ll cherish our dinners, conversations, golfing and seeing the service he gave to his church. He often put others ahead of himself. For example, though we’d enjoyed some really quality time together that he valued, when I was torn about accepting a promotion that would mean moving away from him, he told me to go. He was looking at my future, even though his was dwindling. I did move, and although I live afar, I kept in contact with postcards and pictures of my deployments, and I’m told he shared those with whomever would listen. I’ll treasure that last time we had when I visited him at the nursing home earlier this month. We had a tender moment, and I think we both knew. For your bravery, Thank you grandpa (pause and breathe)
I’ll end this with an Irish farewell prayer … and perhaps you’ll think of him tonight 4pm… Grandpa’s happy hour.
Grandpa
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rains fall upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Andy Donahue eulogy for his grandfather 11/20/23 St. Maximilian Kobe church
Cindy and I are so sorry to hear of Peter’s passing. He was a dear friend since he moved to Scarborough, and he was always active in a positive way in the community. I respected his analytical views and problem solving skills as we discussed many issues that the Town faced. His service to the Town thru many years as a Trustee of the Scarborough Sanitary District will probably never be fully appreciated. He kept its primary mission in mind and sought to protect the interests of the ratepayers.
A good man and a good friend will be missed. May his memory be eternal!
Charlie and Cindy Andreson
One of his enduring expressions was to state that something, or someone was “first class.
It was our honor to be one of Peter’s neighbors.
Pete was a genuine hero to us. We will always cherish the memory of Pete walking by our house, and saluting the flag our front, 10 steps before the flagpole, and holding his salute until he was 10 steps past the flagpole. He did this on the way up the street and again on his way back to his house. Pete was “First Class” in all he did.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Sending our love and hugs to Kate and family.
His smile
The picture I shared was because he was happy to have his picture taken near his old military photo on the navy’s birthday OCT 13th
His smile
He was a resident of Scarborough terrace so was my father a retired Navy CDR (engineer).
His family his time of service – I’m sure more I only knew him briefly
His good attitude and his smile
He kept to himself but if you would talk with him he would talk with you even if he didn’t know you (like with me).
He served in uniform and lived a full life with friends and family
To always smile
Lived life to the fullest & loved this country
He made a difference in people’s lives
Mr. Costello had a great smile and was a pleasure to speak with. Sorry for the late entry as I do not live local. He will be missed by many. I thanked him last year for his service to this country, he had an impressive career.