Gilbert J. Costa, 75, of New Bedford, co-owner with his wife of Gilbert J. Costa Insurance Agency Inc., passed away on Monday, September 19, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Patricia A. (Gillin) Costa; they had been married for 54 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late David and Julia (Roderick) Costa, he lived in New Bedford all of his life. He was a parishioner of Saint Mary Church, where he was a Eucharistic minister, lector and communicant.
He was a graduate of Holy Family High School and Providence College.
He began his career as agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and subsequently owned Travelers Gas Station on Tarkiln Hill Road before teaching for several years at Immaculate Conception School in New Bedford.
He later served as the Project Director for the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority, and following his retirement served as consultant on its Board of Commissioners. During his tenure at the NBRA, he also served on the board of Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE.
Gilbert was a district governor of the Serra Club of New Bedford and a Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was a member of the New Bedford Port Society, the Knights of Columbus, and the Prince Henry Society. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Sacred Heart Home. He had been a trustee for the New Bedford Institution for Savings.
Survivors include his widow; five sons, Gilbert J. Costa Jr. and his wife Maureen of Acushnet, Richard B. Costa and his wife Linda of Fairhaven, Paul J. Costa and his wife Patricia, and James F. Costa and his wife Dorothy, all of New Bedford, and Kevin P. Costa and his wife Maureen of Mattapoisett; four daughters, Ann Marie Costa of Houston, Texas, MaryBeth Plourde and her husband Vincent, and Eileen M. Levasseur and her husband Wayne, all of Acushnet, and Tricia A. Oliveira and her husband, Kenneth of South Boston; three brothers, Dr. David Costa Jr. of New Bedford, Albert Costa of Chula Vista, California, and Daniel J. Costa of Acushnet; four sisters, Elsie Winsper of North Dartmouth, Sr. Mary Kateri, R.S.M. of Riverside, Rhode Island, Julia Pires of Fairhaven, and Elizabeth Martins of New Bedford; 22 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Joseph Costa, Elaine Ferreira, and Agnes Guay.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Thursday, September 22nd at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, Tarkiln Hill Rd., at 11 AM.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours Wednesday, September 21st from 3-8 PM.
Interment Sacred Heart Cemetery.