Joseph C D'Costa

Joseph C. D’Costa (fondly called Jossey by family) passed away unexpectedly on August 13, 2022, at his Addison, TX residence. Joseph was born in central India at Nagpur (also known as “the orange city”). His immediate neighbor’s family had a Down Syndrome child. In his early childhood, from this neighbor, Joseph learned about God’s special needs children. He began his life’s work by visiting the Home for the Poor and Handicapped Children run by the French Missionaries in India. He matriculated from St. Francis de Sales School, Nagpur. Joseph completed diploma level classes in career guidance and counseling, special education theories and diagnostic testing. He was further motivated by Rev. Fr. Arthur J. Malin, S.V.D., an American missionary priest from Wisconsin.

Joseph attended his first national educational conference in Delhi, India. In 1968, he had the opportunity to go to England to work at a hospital for special needs children. The next year, Joseph moved to Jefferson, WI. He worked and studied special education and rehabilitation at Cardinal Stritch University College, Milwaukee, WI, where he graduated in 1971.

Joseph was grateful to the Jewish Vocational Services (a connection from college) and US Senator Gaylord Nelson. They helped move his petition at the U.S, Dept. of Immigration and Naturalization Service Office, Milwaukee. He received a “green card” in 1972 and US citizenship in 1977.

He continued his education at UW-Madison, receiving a Graduate degree in Rehabilitation Administration and Counseling/Behavioral Disabilities. After graduation, Joseph was invited to present a professional paper by UNESCO-Asia in Manila, Philippines.

Upon returning to the states, he got his first job as Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Racine, WI and was assigned to work with deaf and hard of hearing clients. He was sent to Gallaudet University to learn American Sign Language (ASL), deaf culture and communication. In 2012, after working for more than 50 years in vocational rehabilitation, Joseph retired from the position of bureau director in the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Joseph had strong conservative values and entrepreneurial skills at the core of his life. He was generous, kind, and supportive – generous to sponsor visas for his brothers and sister; kind to provide shelter and to encourage them to pursue education and future career paths. Joseph also enjoyed travel to explore and learn about the different cultures around the world and loved to dabble in the kitchen to prepare his favorite recipes.

Joseph is survived by his daughter Hyacinth, siblings Rayburne (Maria), Lester, Mario, Rowena (Anthony), nieces Angelica and Andrea. He was preceded in death by his parents. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Coletta of Wisconsin, N4637 County Rd. Y, Jefferson, WI 53549. https://www.stcolettawi.org/donate