Obituary of Douglas Warren Costello

The death of Douglas Warren Costello of Rockport, Mass., husband of Violet “Pinky” (Connor) Costello, occurred on June 5, 2005, at Addison Gilbert Hospital, Gloucester, Mass. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, November 16, 1917, he was the son of the late Peter and Mary (McKay) Costello. In the “30's” and “40's”, Doug was a sports reporter for the Saint John Free Press and the Saint John Citizen. In 1941, he enlisted in the Army (Royal Canadian Army Service Corps). In the “50's” he was sports editor of the Telegraph Journal. In 1958, he accepted a position as news editor and editorial editor of the Aroostook Republican, a weekly newspaper at Caribou Maine. In 1966, he became Vice President, Northeast Publishing Company, Editor and Publisher, Aroostook Republican and the Loring Limelite. In 1970, he was Editor, Pottsville Republican, Pottsville Pennsylvania, until his retirement in 1990. Doug was the founder, manager/coach, sponsor and driving force of the Saint John, “Saint Johns”, basketball club (1930-1949). The “Saint Johns” were inducted into the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. He is survived by one daughter, Marcia F. O'Rourke, of Rockport, Mass., two sons; Douglas J. (Yvette) of Saint John and Ralph M. of Medfield Mass., one brother, Robert (Eloise) of Quispamsis, one sister, Dolores (James) Murray of Rothesay, eight grandchildren; Marc, Tanya, Douglas (Christina), Chris, Debbie (Dave), Tom, (Sue), David and Jonathan, four great grandchildren; Melissa, Katie, Emma and Spencer. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters; Joan (Robert) Murphy and Ruth Costello and one brother, Ralph F. (Frances) Costello. Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Rockport in Rockport, Mass. Professional arrangements by Vurgess and Mackey Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday June 11, 2005 at 11:00am in the chapel at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, N.B. Visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00am, June 11th. Interment will be held immediately following at Fernhill Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to The Ralph Costello Medical Endowment (c/o The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation) or a charity of the donor's choice.