John N. DeCosta, 78, of Mattapoisett died September 16, 2004 at home after a brief illness.
He was the husband of Geraldine (Francis) DeCosta.
Born in Mattapoisett, the son of the late Anthony and Grace (Napier) DeCosta, he had lived in Mattapoisett for all of his life.
He was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church in Mattapoisett, where he served for many years as a greeter and and usher.
Mr. DeCosta was formerly employed as Head of Mechanical Engineering at Otis Air Force Base for 35 years until his retirement, and had been employed as a maintenance man at the Mattapoisett Nursing Home for over 50 years.
Mr. DeCosta had a long and distinguished career in public service, serving on numerous town and county boards. He is perhaps best known for the 21 years he served as a member of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen. Even after his retirement from elected office in 1998, he continued to serve the Town of Mattapoisett on the Library Building Committee; as the town's representative to the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority and as manager of the summer band concerts at Shipyard Park.He was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational School, Class of 1947, where had was a member of the football team.
During World War II, Mr. DeCosta served in the U.S. Army with the 99th Field Artillery Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division, and was a recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal, the Army Occupation medal, the Philippine Liberation ribbon, the World War II Victory medal, the American Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
He was a member and Past Commander of the Florence Eastman American Legion Post 280 in Mattapoisett, where he was involved for over 50 years. He was the chairman of the annual Memorial Day parade and many other Veteran's activities.
Survivors include his wife; 2 daughters, Carolyn Lopes, and her husband Clifton, of Mattapoisett, and Jacqueline Barrett of Bath, Maine; a son, John DeCosta, Jr., and his wife Marianne, of Mattapoisett; 3 sisters, Beryl Sullivan of Mattapoisett, Barbara Smith of Louisville, KY, and Virginia Burrell of Leland, NC; a brother, Joseph DeCosta of Las Vegas, NV; 6 grandchildren, Brae Barrett of Maine, and Kelly Lopes-Bell, Tiffany Lopes, Clifton Lopes, John DeCosta III, and William DeCosta, all of Mattapoisett; and 2 great-grandchildren, Amaya Francis Bell and Christopher Bell.
He was the brother of the late Anthony DeCosta, Jr., and Jean Burquist.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at St. Anthony's Church Tuesday, September 21st at 10 AM.
Visiting hours at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals,50 County Rd., (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett, Sunday, September 19th from 4-8 PM and Monday, September 20th from 4-8 PM.
In Lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc., 710 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032.