Manuel C. Costa, age 88, a resident of South Yarmouth, MA and formerly of Arlington for over 30 years, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, MA on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
He was the beloved husband of Tina (Botelho) Costa, with whom he would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on July 22, 2026.
Born on December 26,1937, on the Azores island of São Miguel, Portugal, he was the son of the late José Da Costa and the late Francisca Do Couto.
Manuel was raised in Maia, São Miguel, where he attended local schools and worked on the family farms. He later immigrated to Ottawa, Canada, where he worked alongside his brothers for many years. It was during this time that he wrote letters to Tina and asked for her hand in marriage.
After settling in the United States, Manuel and Tina married and built a beautiful life together. He worked for Stride Rite Shoe Company and later in wallpaper and painting before beginning a long and dedicated career at Boston University in Facilities Management. Manuel worked there for 30 years before retiring in 2000.
In his spare time, Manuel was happiest surrounded by family. He was a proud husband, father, and Vavô. He loved telling stories of the Old Country and sharing traditions rooted in his strong Portuguese heritage. He especially loved life on Cape Cod and spending time outdoors with Tina, sitting beneath the trees and enjoying his meticulously maintained yard.
A farmer at heart, Manuel took great pride in tending his grapevines, tomato and vegetable gardens, and spending time outdoors caring for his garden plots. He also loved grilling for a family BBQ or clamming at the ocean shores of the Cape.
Manuel also enjoyed wood carving with friends and making homemade chouriço and pimenta with his sons each fall. He kept up with world events and was an avid reader throughout his life.
In addition to his wife, Tina, he is survived by his children: Robert M. Costa and his wife Lois of Hampton, NH; Brian M. Costa of Arlington; Karen M. Costa of South Yarmouth; and Yvette M. Pacheco and her husband Michael of Tewksbury. He was the loving Vavô of Rebecca Schoenbrun and her husband Josh, Jessica Cournoyer and her husband Korey, and John, Julia, Maria, and Cristina Pacheco; and proud great-grandfather of Archie Cournoyer.
He was the brother of Agostinho Da Costa and his wife Jorgina, Francisco Da Costa and his wife Fatima, and the late Teresa Da Costa and her late husband Manuel, the late José Da Costa and his late wife Delzira, the late Elvira Melo and her late husband José, the late Alberto Da Costa and his surviving wife Fernanda, the late Cezaltina Pimental and her late husband Luis, the late Manuel Da Costa, and the late Ricardo Da Costa.
He was also the son in Law of the late Georgina Botelho and John Pacheco, the brother-in-law of Irene Ponte and her husband Albano, Connie Kvicala and her husband Al, Emily Crowley and her late husband Ed, Joanne Burns and her late husband Bill, and the late Maria Laura Da Costa. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Family and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Friday, June 26, 2026, at St. William of York Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA. Those attending are kindly asked to meet directly at the church.
Services will conclude with interment at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Road, Tewksbury, MA.
At the family’s request, there will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Manuel’s memory may be made to Community Connections Inc., in support of the Yarmouth Day Center, a program that was meaningful to him and his family.
Donations may be made online at communityconnectionsinc.org by selecting “Yarmouth Day Center” as the program and “In Memory of” under Tribute Gift, or mailed to Community Connections Inc., 261 Whites Path, Suite 1, South Yarmouth, MA 02664.