John "Jack" Patrick Costello, II Capt. USN (Ret)

Captain John Patrick “Jack” Costello II, U.S. Navy, was born in Chicago, IL on July 12, 1940, to John Patrick and Bernadette “Bunny” Costello as the second child, younger brother to Laura
Louise and older brother to Susan. He is survived by his beloved wife Constance “Connie” and
his three children Laura Louise, Sean Patrick and Casey Edward; son-in-law Clement Geitner,
granddaughters Ryan Louise, Emma Claire and Adeleine Rose Geitner; his sister Susan Dunne;
and his nieces Julie Anne Dunne, Jennifer Sue Coleman, Janine Elizabeth Dunne, and Colleen
Marie Lamond.

While a student at Mt. Carmel High School, Jack stood out as All-City halfback and automobile
enthusiast—revealing a penchant for engineering early on and filling the family garage with
three antique cars. His football prowess and the desire to fly led him to the U.S. Naval Academy where he picked up lacrosse, later passing on his passion for the sport to his sons Sean and Casey. Before departing Chicago for Annapolis, he met Connie McGuan, the love of his life, on Rainbow Beach and began a long letterbox courtship.

Jack graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 and headed – along with his new wife
Connie – to Pensacola, FL for flight school. A year later he was designated as a Naval Aviator–but not a “pilot” because, as Tom Wolfe wrote in The Right Stuff, “Aviators are better than pilots.” Beat Army! He deployed to the Western Pacific as a helicopter rescue pilot in North Vietnam aboard the U.S.S. Bennington, Kitty Hawk, and Enterprise. During the war, he was
blessed to serve with family, at one point operating off the same ship as his childhood friend, USNA classmate, and brother-in-law Capt. Gerald “Jerry” Dunne. While on tour in Vietnam, a successful and heroic rescue mission of a downed and captured fighter pilot earned him the rare and distinguished Silver Star, of which he never spoke unless highlighted by one of his friends.

After serving two tours in Vietnam, Jack took his young family to Monterey, CA, where he
attended the Naval Post Graduate School and earned a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical
Engineering. During his time on the West Coast, he participated in the pick-up of the Apollo IV capsule in the early days of the Apollo space program, a highlight for Jack.

In 1974, Jack was selected to and entered the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River,
MD, where he tested most of the current military and civilian helicopters as well as several fixed wing aircraft, totaling thirty-three aircraft during his service.

Subsequent assignments, including NAVAIR and attendance at the National War College, called
Jack to Washington, DC in 1979. Jack and Connie moved their family of five to Great Falls, VA,
where the kids and their fiercely loyal dog, Dylan, could run free. Here Jack could tinker and
battle with his beloved lawn mower, The Gravely. In these years he enjoyed camping, sailing,
racket sports, and going to the beach with his family. He also became an avid runner, completing many marathons up and down the East Coast, often accompanied by friends.
After retiring from the Navy in 1990, Jack entered into a career in civilian aviation that included selling helicopters to the Aussie and New Zealand navies, leading him and Connie to live in Australia for a spell. It was a once-in-a-lifetime working opportunity for Jack and a grand adventure for Jack and Connie.

Jack taught his children lessons of kindness and wisdom. Jack was a sensitive man who’d play
classical music for Dylan in the garage when he thought the Border Collie was lonely, tear up
over grace at a family gathering, or pick up a stranded motorist – at 80 years old no less – much to the chagrin and amusement of his granddaughters.

In retirement, Jack never missed a family holiday and was a frequent spectator at games and
races. Although his last year was difficult, Jack’s remarkable spirit and positivity lifted us. He continued to greet all with a smile, responded with laughter to a good joke, kissed his wife at the beginning and end of each visit, appreciated each meal, and tried his hardest each day. He showed persistence, honor, strength, and most of all love.

Jack’s funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church on Fri., March 15 at
11:00am. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Vietnam Veterans of America.