It is with profound sadness that we share news of the death of LCol (ret'd) Joseph Patrick Costello, CD, who died peacefully August 26, 2022 in his home and surrounded by loving family after a brave battle with nodular melanoma cancer. He was 52 years young.
Joe is survived by his loving and caring wife, Margaret Deneumoustier of Ottawa, Ontario, his loving daughters, SLt Katherine (Lucas), Cleo, Jamie, and Lily, by his mother, Martha Costello (nee Patterson) and by his siblings, Capt(N) (ret’d) Brian Andrew (Maureen) and Lt(N) Sean Michael (Pam). Predeceased by his father, LCol (ret’d) Brian Denis Costello (2015).
Enrolling in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as a reservist with 763 (Ottawa) Communication Regiment and following a brief (and unenjoyable) stint in the Royal Canadian Navy, Joe transferred to the Canadian Army. He graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada with a Bachelor of Computer Engineering with first class distinction (1992) and a Master of Computer Engineering (2000).
He enjoyed a diverse career filled with both field and staff positions, including deployments to Croatia (1998), Bosnia-Herzegovina (2003-2004) and Afghanistan (2010). He spent time in Petawawa, ON, Trenton, ON, Kingston, ON, and Alert, NU, before concluding his distinguished military career in Ottawa, ON. After retiring from the CAF in 2012, he worked for the Department of National Defense supporting Canadian Army communications capability development, ensuring that Canada was capable of working with our NATO partners.
His hobby of collecting R.C.C.S. (Signals) memorabilia grew into a passion for collecting, preserving and sharing all manners of Signals Corps history on his website, RCSigs.ca. His most meaningful work included Graves of our Fallen, a repository and tribute to fallen Canadian Signal Soldiers. He collected and published military files and photos of every fallen signals soldier’s grave, often recruiting friends to visit cemeteries abroad for him.
The family would like to thank Joe’s healthcare providers, notably Dr. Xinni Song, Dr. Nair, Dr. Alkerhayf, Dr. Sinclair, Dr. Bruni, Dr. Coté, Dr. Swami, and all of his dedicated nurses and caregivers.
Friends may pay respects on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 (2-4 pm and 7-9 pm) and at 12 noon on Wednesday, September 7 at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre (National Military Cemetery) 280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa, ON K1M 8E2 613-741-9530.
Visitation will end shortly before the 1:00 pm funeral and the 2:00 pm military burial, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation - Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre.
Digital Guestbook
Todd Reashore
Michael and Deb Cohen
Joe was our friend and neighbour from our days on Soho Cres. Sending love and strength to Joe's family during this difficult time.
Lynda, Rob and Family
We are so terribly sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Michel Charron Bgen (Ret) and Éric Charron Col (Ret)
Éric and I would like to express our sincere condolences to the Costello family on this terrible loss for their family. Eric being in Winnipeg will not be able to be present but I will be there on the evening of 6 Sep.
BGen Denis Boucher
Joe and I met on phase training at CFSCE and our paths crossed several times during our careers. It was a privilege to have him as part of my team when I was DLCSPM. Nearly as soon as he heard I would spend a year in the UK, he recruited my help in documenting more of the graves of the fallen - such was his passion for the subject. Needless to say, we did our part and scoured the English countryside to find those graves. Joe, you’ve left us much too early, you will be missed. VVV
Sean Flynn
My work and interactions with Joe gave me the good fortune to cross paths with him many times over the past decade, and particularly the last 3 years. Joe was an incredibly thoughtful, fair, and practical engineering leader on the program and will be dearly missed by everyone. Sincerest of condolences to all of Joe's friends and family.
Grant, Cathy, Alex & Duncan Griswold
We should be talking about the great weekend we all just had in the sands of Golden Lake - we should not be getting dressed in uniforms with mourning bands preparing for Joe's Funeral - but alas we are. We have so many wonderful memories of our friendship through the years that will bring smiles to our faces through the tears. A wonderful and steadfast friend and "brother", a caring and loving "Uncle" - we will remember him. All our love to Margaret and Marth, his wonderful girls Kate, Cleo, Jamie, Lilly and the entire Costello Family.
James van de Ven
Joe, thank you for sharing our youthful adventures and thank you for your service. Our condolences to the entire Costello family.
Mamie Geneviève ( Lucas)
Soyez sûrs que je suis bien avec vous dans ce moment si difficile.
Bien affectueusement.
Gene.
Denis Couillard
I really miss the long, passionate discussions I had with Joe on RCCS and tactical communication history. I miss his solid smile, his frankness and the integrity you could feel being near him. I miss all the cool heritage and technology projects we were going to do together but, I am grateful I had the opportunity to cross path with him. My sincere condolences from Montreal to all his family.
Respect - on so very many levels.