Joe Costello

December 9, 1925 - December 21, 2022

Joe died in La Jolla, California after a brief battle with cancer. Four months earlier, Joe was strong and vibrant. He spent his days walking the beach, golfing, dining with friends, and reading voraciously. He was still driving (too fast), and living independently. Until the very end, Joe was smiling, joking, and grateful for life's abundant blessings. We will deeply miss his thoughtful intellect and cheerful optimism.

Joe was born in Los Angeles in the mid-1920s. He had a typical family - two siblings, a loving mother and a father employed as a high school athletics instructor. Joe attended Caltech for one year, then transferred to the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1947. After serving in China and the Pacific Theatre, he joined his parents in La Jolla and spent a summer learning to surf at Windansea. The Navy recalled Joe to the Korean War, so with typical enthusiasm, Joe drove to Alta Ski Resort before reporting. He broke his leg skiing, failing his physical and was assigned to supply chain logistics for naval munitions.

Afterward, Joe leveraged that experience to start a company representing small US manufacturers to buyers around the world. He traveled extensively for business, but continued to pursue his passions. He met a kindred spirit in Barbara Wood while skiing in Davos, Switzerland. They reconnected through the Los Angeles ski club and married in 1956. They had four children - Matthew, Peter, Leslie, and Regina. Joe's business took the family to Minnesota for two years, then he 'retired' and moved the family to La Jolla in late 1967. Joe and Barbara raised their family with sailing, skiing, and constant adventure. After Barbara's death, Joe remarried. He and Victoria Fraser spent a half dozen years in McCall, Idaho before returning to La Jolla full-time in 1997. Vicki passed away five years ago.

Joe was loved by his many children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. For many, Joe's memory will be intertwined with the outdoors and activities he loved so much:  sailing, skiing, cycling, golfing, boogie boarding, and walking the beach. Thank you, Joe. We love you.

La Jolla Light, January 5, 2023