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
LGen (Ret'd) Guy Thibault
Giancarlo Urbani
My condolences and deepest sympathy to Joe’s family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of sorrow. Joe had a distinguished career serving our country and I’m proud to have had him as a friend. I have many good memories of Joe at RMC, putting his all in everything he did. You could always count on Joe and I’m grateful for his friendship and support. He was always there for me and he will be missed. May God Bless your soul, my friend. Giancarlo
Faysal Sunba
My deepest condolences. Joe was my mentor and great friend. He will be forever missed. My thoughts and prayers with the family.
Col (Ret'd) James Holsworth
The RC Corps of Signals and the C&E Branch cannot begin to repay Joe Costello for his perseverance in building the incredible history of Signals that he personally captured on RCSigs.ca. His tireless research in gathering the real stories of 'the troops, the times, the technology,' especially the of Graves of our Fallen, is unparalleled.
A remarkable person, who had a remarkable professional career, and left a remarkable legacy of heritage that will inspirit anyone who wears a Jimmy hat badge for Canada.
Joe, you have left us too early, and will be sadly missed...but never forgotten!
Our condolences to Margaret and the Costello family at a very difficult time.
BZ and VVV, Jim and Anne Holsworth
Lynda Deneumoustier
A very sad time for all of Joe’s family and friends. Our deepest sympathies to Joes wonderful Mom, Martha and his loving and adored daughters, Kate and Jamie, as well as his loyal brothers, Brian and Sean and families. Our thoughts also go out to my little sister Margaret, who has lost the love of her life, Joe Costello. I have to say Margaret and Joe made a beautiful couple, who shared alot of love and true laughter. Joe had a very quick wit, which Margaret loved, but she could also keep up to him with her equally dry sense of humour. Joe was an amazing Step-Father to my nieces, Cleo and Lily and their treasured memories of him will be carried with them always. My husband Tim and I would have Joe, Margie and the girls over often to enjoy the country air in Wakefield, Qc. We will truly miss our times together and maple syrup season will never be the same without Joe. We love you and thank you for your kindness and great friendship over the years. Rest In Peace, Joe❤️ Lynda , Tim, Kilby and Katie XOX
Ian Krepps
My condolences to the family. Joe was committed to excellence in all his pursuits. He was a professional who always had the best interests of the CAF in mind. I wish his family all the strength in this most difficult time.
Chip and Donna Cook
Margaret, the loss of Joe is heartbreaking and will be felt by many. We will continue to celebrate his personality, contributions, and memories. Condolences to you and your family and we wish you peace.
Glenna and Bill Cooke, Golden lake
Our deepest condolences to Martha, Margret and Joe’s family. We will always remember Joe’s visits to say hello and see how we were doing. Good memories and time will heal the emptiness one feels at this time.
Christine Blais
Our deepest sympathies to Joe's family. We are heartbroken with this news. We met Joe as a neighbor and our 2 oldest children were first friends. We enjoy many warm and wonderful memories of Joe - Christmas pudding with Rum sauce comes to mind first.
Please feel comforted by our warmest sympathies.
The Blais'
Conni Müller (German Armed Forces)
I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to Joe's family.
I only knew Joe briefly through our work for the Multilateral Interoperability Programme frequently held here in Germany (I'm part of the support group on site).
He was a wonderful person and his passion for his work resounded with everyone who had the privilege of working with him.
May his family find peace and comfort in this very difficult time as now he may rest in peace free of pain and suffering from cancer.
Dear Margaret and all members of Joe's family - most sincere condolences in this sad time. Needless to say, but your family knows what service and sacrifice in the Canadian Military is all about and Joe was a role model leader, soldier and great comrade in arms - we were lucky to serve with him and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his amazing work on our Signal Corps history and especially the preservation of the memory of our fallen. Rest in Peace Joe. VVV