Robert J. Costello 1934-2011

Robert J. “Bob” Costello purchased the former Moffett Funeral Home in Winchester in 1961. Now the Costello Funeral Home, he owned and operated the business with pride for fifty years. A distinguished and compassionate funeral director, Mr. Costello’s funeral service tenet was “affordable and dignified service to all”. He genuinely extended his compassion and dignified services to families of every faith, nationality and financial circumstance.

Bob graduated from Quincy High School in 1953, where he met the love of his life, Lillian M. (Kenney), with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage until his death in 2011. A U.S. Army veteran, he attended Boston University and the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Boston, where he completed his Funeral Service education. After graduation, Bob was employed by several funeral homes in the Quincy and greater Boston area, and learned the funeral directing and embalming trade from respected leaders in the funeral service industry.

He, Lillian and their young son Robert, Jr. moved to Winchester in 1961. In Winchester, Bob became very active in community and church activities, participating in the Rotary Club, where he served as president and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow. At St. Mary’s parish, he was a member of the Parish Council, an usher, a member of the Mr. and Mrs. Club, and he and Lillian formed many lasting friendships. He also enjoyed membership in the Winchester Knights of Columbus, Council 210.

He was the loving father of Robert J. Costello, Jr., Elizabeth O’Neil, Nancy McQuillin, Peter and Joseph Costello, who were all raised and educated in Winchester.

In 1993, when his son, Joseph, finished his course of study the New England Institute of Funeral Service at Mount Ida College in Newton Centre, MA, Mr. Costello set out to pass down the fundamental funeral directing and embalming skills he had taught Joe for many years, in order to further preserve the Costello Funeral Home personal care standards he had independently practiced since 1961. Joe Costello said, “My father was a perfectionist and detail-oriented in everything he did – embalming and personal preparation, commitment to and care for the deceased and surviving family members, funeral service planning, cleaning and landscaping. He was always thoughtful to consider the little details that he knew would matter to a family. It just came naturally to him. Lauren and I continually strive to meet those high standards set by my father.”