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
Christian Beaulieu
Sandra Eden Lavigne
Sending my deepest sympathy to all the friends and family of Joe, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Love and Hugs..
Thomas Deneumoustier
Joe was a fantastic soldier, father, bother and husband to my dear sister Margaret. Joe was a strong and caring man and accepted Margaret’s sisters and brothers as his own family.
Joe will be remembered fondly and he will be missed by one and all, his family, his wife Margaret and all the soldiers that served under him and his fellow officers. God Bless Joe.
Thomas and Line Deneumoustier and family.
John DENEUMOUSTIER
Brother in law
Marilyn and Chico
Dear Margie,our hearts are broken for you and the family .You are in our thoughts across all these miles … love you all
Glenda Huff
Our sympathy to Joe’s family at this sad time . Life is so short . Our prayers at this time and the future. Glenda and Ken Huff
Edward Deneumoustier
May Joe Rest In Peace. My deepest condolences to Margaret and all who loved him.
Ihor Triska
My sincerest condolences to Joe's family and friends on his passing. Joe was a wonderful customer who I have known for nearly 20 years working with General Dynamics. He was intelligent, fair, kind and pragmatic. Most importantly, he was a friend and I will miss him. May he rest in peace.
Gordie and Rennie
We are so sorry for your loss and our thoughts are with you.
Ray Lebeau
To Margaret, Katherine, Cleo, Jamie, Lily, Family Members & Friends,
The members of the Canadian Forces Supplementary Radio (SUPRAD) System Oldtimers Association were saddened by the news of LCol Joe Costello's passing. We thank him for his impressive dedication and loyal service to Canada. We thank him for all of the valuable work he did to collect, preserve and share the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals history on his website. Those of us who served with Joe, at the most northern permanently inhabited settlement in the world, Alert, (a tri-service station), will forever remember the enjoyable times that were shared. Please know that as members of your extended military family, we will be keeping you, your family members, and all of Joe's friends, in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Velox Versutus Vigilans / Swift Skilled Alert.
'Friends Forever"
Mes condoléances à toute la famille, les proches, ses nombreux amis et collègues. Que de bons souvenirs d'avoir côtoyé Joe à DLCSPM et tout au long de ma carrière dans les FAC.