Vincent F. Costello, Sr.

Vincent F. Costello Sr., 95 years old, a Grumman retiree. Resided in Huntington since 1955. The sixth son of Patrick and Mary Costello, he was born in Woodhaven Queens, New York, on December 8, 1923, the feast of the Immaculate Conception (dedicated to the Blessed Mother has entire life). Graduated from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High school in 1942. Served three years in the Navy during World War II.

He became a radar technician and served aboard the USS Astoria, light cruiser (CL 90). As part of the third and fifth Fleet, he participated in the liberation of the Philippines, airstrikes on Luzon, Formosa, China coast, Nansei Shoto, shore bombardment of Iwo Jima, and the Chichi Jima and Tokyo raids.

In June 1950 he received a bachelor of electrical engineering degree from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. After graduating he joined the Sperry Gyroscope Company as a field engineer. He spent a year in the Far East, during the Korean War teaching operation of the A-1 gun bomb rocket sight to US Air Force pilots flying F-84 and F-86 jet fighters. He also taught maintenance classes to gunsight squadron personnel.

Upon returning to the states, he taught a gunsight overhaul course to civil service personnel at Warner Robbins Air Force Base Depot in Macon, Georgia. His next assignment was supervising the gunsight portion of the F-84 and F-89 aircraft Iran program at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. In 1955 he participated as a civilian member of the championship US Air Force gunnery team at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Returning to Long Island, Mr. Costello bought a home in Huntington and spent the next 10 years at Sperry as a project engineer in airborne radar and associated support equipment.

In 1965 he left Sperry and spent the next 25 years at Grumman Aerospace Corporation. In 1971 he received a Master of Science degree in management engineering from CW Post by attending classes after work. The major part of his Grumman career was spent in the support department associated with the EA-6B countermeasures aircraft, “The Prowler”.

In March 1986 he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon. The tumor was removed in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. In the fall of 1987 the cancer had moved to his liver resulting in two additional surgeries and hospitalization for 51 days, but ultimately he was a proud survivor.

He retired from Grumman in November 1990. Including his naval service, he spent a total of 43 years in the defense of his country.

He was a parishioner of St. Matthews Roman Catholic Church in Dix Hills since its founding in 1965. He was a member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, and the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Knights of Columbus Council #7479. He also participated as a captain in the fund-raising drive for the four diocesan high schools in the Rockville Centre Diocese, as well as serving the Bishop’s Appeal.

Mr. Costello died on March 31, 2019. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 50 years in 2003, Louise. He is survived by his five children Annmarie Dugan (Stephen) of Pennsylvania, Patrick (Margaret) of East Northport, Vincent (Pamela) of Maine, Joan Mackey (Joseph) of Dix Hills, and Thomas, M.D. of Dix Hills. He cherished his 15 grandchildren: Maryrose and John Dugan; Mary Louise, Patrick and Therese Costello; Johanna, Arielle, Moriah, Sarah and Michaela Costello; Joseph, Daniel, Tyler, Matthew and Joan, as well as his eight great-grandchildren.

His motto was “if you can’t laugh, you’re in trouble”, so think of him and smile.

In lieu of flowers, Vincent requested donations be made in his name to the Life Center of Long Island, 1767 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729, where he volunteered many years preparing, repairing and cleaning donated baby care items.