Robert J. “Bob” Costello, age 77, of Melvin Village, NH, formerly of Winchester, died Sept. 4, 2011 surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband for 53 years of Lillian M. (Kenney), and the son of the late William F. and Anna (Foy) Costello. Born, raised and educated in Quincy, he graduated from Quincy High School in 1953, where he met the love of his life, Lill. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return, he attended Boston University and the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Kenmore Square, Boston, where he completed his Funeral Service education. After graduation, Bob was employed by several funeral homes in the Quincy and greater Boston area.
In 1961, he and his wife and their two-year old son, Robert, Jr., moved to Winchester, where he purchased the former Moffett Funeral Home, now the Costello Funeral Home, which he owned and operated with great pride and compassion for fifty years along with his son, Joseph and daughter-in-law Lauren.
Bob became very active in Winchester, participating in the Rotary Club, where he served as president and was a Paul Harris Fellow. At St. Mary’s parish, he was a member of the Parish Council, an usher, and a member of the Mr. and Mrs. Club. He also enjoyed membership in the K of C Winchester, Council 210.
Along with Lill, they purchased a home, “Green Acre”, their own private paradise in the woods of Melvin Village, NH. Avid gardeners, he and Lill meticulously maintained their yards and gardens, both in Winchester and Melvin Village. He particularly enjoyed the rock garden with its views of the Ossipee Mountain range in the background. His “shed” in Melvin Village was famous in his family as his place of respite, with its roaring wood stove, carefully organized tools, and collection of hand-made, carefully name-engraved walking sticks for his grandchildren, hung neatly for their visits. His legendary “frog pond” was created specially for their enjoyment.
Bob and Lill enjoyed membership in the Ridgewood Country Club in Moultonboro, where they were both founding members. Bob was the first golfer at the club to get a hole in one.
Bob was the devoted father of Robert J. Costello Jr. of Malden, Elizabeth A. O’Neil of Merrimac, MA, Nancy M. McQuillin and her husband Brian of North Reading, Peter J. Costello and his husband Kevin McDonough of Arlington and Joseph W. Costello and his wife Lauren of Winchester, and the dear brother of Elizabeth “Betty” Nestor of Weymouth and the late William F. Costello. He was the loving “Grampy” of Michael and Patricia Costello, Kelley, Molly and Riley McQuillin, Melissa and Billy O’Neil and Joe and Emily Costello and is also survived by his two nieces Anna Dee and her husband Pat and Laura Collins and her husband Matt, all of Weymouth, several other loving nieces and nephews and many dear friends. His funeral will be held from the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Thurs. Sept. 8th at 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, at 10AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held in the funeral home on Wed. from 4-8PM. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Tuftonboro Firefighters Assoc. PO Box 437, Melvin Village, NH 03850 or to the Central NH VNA Hospice 240 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, NH 03894.