Like a true Viking warrior, he died in battle with a weapon in hand. He had been in near constant battle with various illnesses for over 5 years and he died as he lived, with his greatest weapon holding his hand; his beloved wife Debra, his Darling Dear. As Patrick fought his physical battles, Debra was by his side as his strength and shield. He would also never have been able to battle so long and so well without the loving and devoted care of his son Jackson, who was his friend, personal chef, chauffeur, and most importantly, his Homie.
While 55 years may not be an overly long life, there was a lot of life lived in those years.
Patrick was a staunch liberal Democrat and came from a proud tradition of union values and brotherhood. He was a retired member of Local 351 (originally Local 211), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
He was an aficionado of the traditions of old-school boxing and his all-time favorite boxer was Iran Barkley. Although a South Jersey boy born and bred, Patrick was a contrarian and a Dallas Cowboys fan. To his everlasting chagrin, Iran’s great-nephew Saquon now plays for his Debra’s beloved Philadelphia Eagles.
Patrick got to check off a bucket list item when he moved to New York City and was put in contact with Iran. He had the pleasure of having lunch and spending an afternoon with the man who inspired his passion for boxing. Throughout his life, Patrick maintained his love of the sweet science.
He was a lover of old monster movies, brought on by the time his father John took him to see The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad in the theater as a kid. That day sparked a life-long fascination with movie monsters, collectables, the Jersey Devil, and the weird and arcane that remained strong until his last day.
He was a published author and his book, Greenhead Politics, about his hometown of Brigantine, New Jersey was a local story born of his love for his family and community.
He was a voracious reader and enjoyed everything from the histories of Ron Chernow to the science of Carl Sagan to the fantasy of George RR Martin (a bond he shared with his mother Barbara). His favorite book, as any of the nurses in his hospital stays would attest because it was always by his beside, was The Landmark Julius Caesar, The Complete Works.
In addition to Debra, he is survived by his parents John and Barbara Costello; five adored children, Alexandria, Chelsea, and Tyler Raske, Olivia and Jackson Brazelton, granddaughter Amelia Raske, brother Casey Costello, and sister and brother in-law Michelle and Matthew Ruggeri.
Burial arrangements are private, and family and friends will be gathering at a date and time to be determined.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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