Gary Anthony Costa's Obituary
Gary Anthony Costa, 76, of Baldwin Borough, entered into Eternal Peace on Saturday, October 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born on October 31, 1945, in Pittsburgh, the son of the late Americo and Margaret (Woods) Costa.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Linda L. (Chontos) Costa; and his two children, whom he adored, Gregory Anthony Costa and Stephanie Lynne Costa and her husband, Juan Narvaez. Gary also leaves his brother, Wayne Costa; brother-in-law, James Chontos and his wife, Sara; sister-in-law, Deborah Voyles and her husband, David; nieces and nephews, David and Steven Costa, Elizabeth Plyler and her husband, Brian, and Grant Voyles; and two great nieces, Tawny Costa and Crystal (Costa) Sanchez and her husband, Eric; and two great nephews, Jace and Vonn Plyler. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his nephew, Wayne Costa and his sister-in-law, Mary Joann Chadwick Costa.
Gary grew up in the coal mining town of Library, PA, and graduated from Snowden High School, now known as South Park High School. He went on to California University of PA where he met the love of his life, Linda, and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Master's Degree in Elementary Guidance and Counseling. He further pursued his professional goals at Duquesne University earning a Principal Certificate in Elementary and Secondary Education. He later also studied at Ohio State, Murray State, and Penn State Universities.
He began his career teaching 5th grade at Pleasant Hills Elementary in the West Jefferson Hills School District, but most of his career was spent in Baldwin-Whitehall School District. He taught at Paynter Middle School, Spitler Elementary School, and retired from teaching 5th grade at Paynter Elementary School where he was well-known as "Rocket Man" for his self-developed unit of study in rocketry as well as his hands-on unit of study about dogs.
Gary was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Library throughout his childhood. Gary and Linda were married at St. John Mark Lutheran in Homestead in 1967, followed by memberships at Messiah Lutheran in Homestead Park and North Zion Lutheran in Baldwin Borough.
Gary had a deep love of family and friends. He enjoyed listening to music, camping and Scouting, traveling, reading history books and Robert Frost poetry, walking with friends, his many projects in and outside of the home, and most of all spending time with Buddy, his black and tan Dachshund.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for visitation from 2 to 4 pm & 7 to 9 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 and from 2 to 4 pm & 7 to 9 pm on Thursday, October 13, at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh.
A Celebration of Gary's Life will be held at the funeral home on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 12 pm. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Mausoleum
Memorial donations in Gary's honor may be made to Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania at https://pfwpa.org/donate/
To leave online condolences please visit www.jeffersonmemorial.com
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