Eulogy for Tim Costello by John W. Marr--delivered on May 30, 2015 at the Funeral Service at Mott & Henning in Athens, IL. Abraham Lincoln said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” * I learned to be humble. Our family gave Tim a book about the WWII Native American Code Talkers which was autographed by several of the veterans. He used that opportunity to reinforce to me that the WWII soldiers were the real heroes. He was humble about the sacrifices he made during the Korean War and gave credit to those who served before him. Over more than four decades, I’ve felt honored to be included in Tim’s life. He trusted me to date and then marry one of his precious daughters. His encouragement, his advice, his confidence was always evident even though it may have gone unsaid. He was a man of movement and action who didn’t waste words, time, or energy. He made the best of any situation which is demonstrable proof to me that he was comfortable in his own skin. He was a philosopher whose wisdom was earned through experience, adversity, hard knocks, and an uncanny insight into human nature. If anyone took the time to know him, he provided many examples of how to work, how to live, and how to love. Tim Costello was a good man with a huge heart. I wasn’t his son but I would have been proud to say I was. We’re all going to miss him in different ways. Me? I’m going to miss him making comments and then winking at me across the room. I’m going to miss him sitting in the front seat with me as we go to lunch and telling me how to drive. I’m going to miss his short comments about life, work, politics, baseball, cats, war, and society. Very simply, I’m going to miss him. |
Tim is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters, Michele (John) Marr of Gridley, IL and Julie (Andres) Munoz-Najar of Champaign, IL; son, John (Pam) Costello of Hummelstown, PA; grandchildren, Quincy, Ambre, and Phoenix Marr, Tarah Benner, Courtney, Shane, and Ashley Costello, and Sebastian Munoz-Najar; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Click here to Email Michele a message, or to send an