Tributes

Charlie B. Costello jr. was born on July 24, 1948, in one of the first homesteads built by his father on the west side of San Antonio, Texas. The eldest of seven children born to Charlie and Soriada Costello, he grew up alongside his siblings MaryAnn, Adela, Bill, Gladys, Albert, and Frank. A natural athlete, Charlie excelled at Lanier High School, where he broke city track records and stood out as a running back and receiver on the varsity football team. In 1970, shortly after volunteering to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he married Francis Cantu. They coparented their four children: Theodora, Charlie III, Christina, and Michael. After being honorably discharged from the military in 1972, Charlie returned to work at Kelly Air Force Base. Over the course of his 27-year civil service career, he held multiple positions, spending most of his time as an equipment specialist for Boeing. He retired in 1994 at the rank of GS-11. Alongside his career, Charlie continued his education and earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from San Antonio College and Southwest Texas. In 2020, after 48 years together, Charlie married his beloved partner Rebecca. They share a daughter, Melissa. A devoted father and grandfather, Charlie is survived by his children, 10 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. He found joy in the simple things—fishing, thrifting with his brothers, cooking for his loved ones, and fixing anything that needed a helping hand. His presence was magnetic; his humor, unforgettable. Charlie was known for his charismatic energy and the lasting impression he left on everyone he met across the Southside of San Antonio. Charlie passed away on July 23, 2025, just one day before his 77th birthday, after a courageous battle with dementia. Even as his health declined, his warmth and wit endured. As my father would say, "Moti gratzi." Memorial Services Services will be held at Mission Park Funeral Home – Southeast, located on SE Military Drive. • August 4 o 4:00–5:00 PM: Private family visitation o 5:00–8:00 PM: Public visitation o 7:00 PM: Rosary • August 5 o 9:30 AM: Vigil service at Mission Park o 11:15 AM: Funeral service with burial to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Tributes

Charlie B. Costello Jr.

July 24, 1948 - July 23, 2025