Raymond Costello

He graduated from Corpus Christi High in 1945 and served in the US Army at the end of World Word II in occupied Japan. Upon completion of his military service, Raymond attended Texas A&I in Kingsville, Texas, where he received a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering. In 1952 Raymond met the love of his life, Barbara Joan Long, in Houston, Texas, and the two were married on July 20, 1952. He worked for Houston Lighting and Power Company in the Transmission and Distribution Department. It was there he was given the nickname “Snuffy”. Everyone in the department knew and loved Snuffy, and can you blame them. Raymond was known by many names: Husband, Daddy, Paw, Paw Honey Darlin’, and to his dear wife “Bunny Fuzz”. Raymond loved to make things with his hands, especially when it came to woodworking. He saw no project as too big or too small and used his skills to build his sailboat, the Patty Gayle, and a home in Moss Hill, Texas, but in 1975 he began making violins and it quickly became a passion for him. However, he would correct you that he did not make violins. He made fiddles. Over the years many fiddles have been gifted to friends, family, schools and caregivers. Violin was an accidental passion for Raymond, and he would tell you the reason he started playing violin as a child was to avoid a spelling test. Aren’t we so glad he did. Raymond loved his family deeply and fiercely.

He is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Anna Costello and his dear wife Barbara.

He is survived by his two daughters Pam Spriggs and her husband Randy and Vicki Arnold and her husband Darrell; three grandchildren Melissa Coffey and her husband Justin, Craig Spriggs and his wife Kelly, and Patrick Arnold; five great grandchildren: Hannah Coffey, Charlie Spriggs, Grace Coffey, Bristol Spriggs, and Wolfie Spriggs; his sister-in-law Gloria Umlang; and three nieces and two nephews.

Raymond lived a life that taught us to laugh often, smile in the face of stressful situations and to love fearlessly and unconditionally. Today we celebrate the amazing life he had and cherish the lessons and memories he left us with.

A visitation for Raymond will be held Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas 77039. A funeral service will occur Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 2:30 PM. A burial will occur Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Brookside Memorial Park.