John Anthony Costello

John Anthony Jack Costello was born June 13, 1921 on the family farm north of Sprague, Washington, the seventh of eight children of John and Elizabeth McDonald Costello. The family moved to Boone Avenue in Spokane in 1928, where he attended St. Aloysius Grade School, Gonzaga High School, and Gonzaga University. While serving in the U.S. Army in Europe as a First Lieutenant during World War II, he was decorated with a Purple Heart, two Bronze Star Medals, and the Silver Star for valor. After the war, he returned to Spokane and married Joanne Hennessey. They moved back to the farm in 1950, coaxed wheat and barley from the land, and raised five children. Jack was always politically active, and he was elected in 1956 to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. He and Joanne attended the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy for whom Jack vigorously campaigned in order to see the first Catholic American President elected. In 1965, Jack moved the family to Seattle, where he served for 18 years as a real estate acquisition officer for the U.S. Postal Service. Always an ardent humorist, football analyst, and favorite of family and friends, Jack never lost his fondness for Spokane, and he moved back to the Lilac City in 1991 to enjoy his final years among old family and friends, including the gang at the Knights of Columbus. He is preceded in death by his daughter Margaret Oliver, his parents, and his six sisters and brother. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joanne, and his children John D. Costello, Seattle; Patricia Byrne (Tom), Kent; Terrance Costello (Mary Lambert), Seattle; Ann Costello (Jim Tully), Seattle, and ten grandchildren: Irene and Dan Costello (John); Brigid and Alex Byrne (Patricia); Kathleen and Jacqueline (Terrance), Katharine and Patrick Oliver (Margaret); Katherine and Zachary Tully (Ann), and one great grandchild (Josh McCabe). Announcement: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given Northwest Parkinsons Foundation, 400 Mercer Street, #504, Seattle, WA 98109.