Gene was a great guy! I miss him. May he rest in peace! I know he’s rooting for his Bruins up in heaven.🙏🏼💯

We miss you Gene! RIP my friend! Go Bruins!!💯🙏🏼🙏🏼

We dearly loved your sweet Gene. We taught at Temple City High and for FTE where Gene took Economic workshops. Our son played for UCLA and Gene warmly greeted us each time we attended games.  He invited us, our son and grandchildren to see floats decorated. He was a wonderful friend.   The world was a better place having him in it. 

Gene was a great guy and absolute pleasure every time I saw and conversed with him. My time as a teacher at Burroughs came after his, but he was around often as a substitute and would love to talk sports and life.  We would often banter back and forth about UCLA and USC. Rest in Peace Bruin!  


Mr. Costa was one of my teachers and I really enjoyed learning from him in my youth. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing and your loss. 

I am very sorry to hear about Gene and my thoughts are with his family and many friends. I met Gene when I was a new teacher at Jordan  and I also worked with him at JBHS. I remember most of all his open, warm and friendly kindness.  He loved his students and was a joy to his colleagues and his hard work and dedication was an inspiration to us all. He was  just the sort of good man  who should have been a teacher. 

I remember Mr. Costa from Jordan Jr. High in the early 70’s.  Had his class teaching with Mr. Bunch; and seeing him in the school halls with a smile.  May he Rest In Peace. God Bless his family and friends.   🙏🙏🙏

On behalf of the Burbank Teachers Association, we send our deepest condolences to Gene's family. Gene was a dedicated educator and union member.  

I got to know him a little more when he was a home health teacher because he often came to me when he needed materials or ideas on English. He was always appreciative and always returned the materials.  

As a fellow Bruin fan, I too admired his dedication to our Bruins. 

The world may be a little dimmer but the sky is brighter.  Rest in peace Gene.

Diana Abasta
 BTA President


Mr. Costa made me look forward to school and made my education at JBHS enjoyable.  Government class was awesome with him, and just the way he treated everyone made us anxious to learn and grow. He was an asset to John Burroughs High School and he will be missed. He was one of the most memorable teachers for me and won't ever be forgotten. My condolences to his friends and family.

Oscar Burrows-Rangel
Class of 95

I just wanted to express that he was a lovely teacher and I was lucky enough to have been his student in JBHS. He was kind and patient and taught us about the recession. One day he asked me to be his Teacher’s assistant and I wasn’t quite sure that I wanted to take that responsibility on, but I am very happy I did. I couldn’t say no to him. He was just too nice. I hope his family knows he was loved and respected by his students and I am sure many are saddened by his passing. Sending much love and condolences to all of you. 

I have had the privilege of having Mr. Costa as a home school teacher after I was Sent home from the hospital.  I remember Mr. Costa as being the most polite man and we got along great.  We shared stories, had lunch together and talked about politics (which we agreed on).  He even became friends with my closest family members  who welcomed him to their houses.  One time, he gave my brother and I a VIP pass to  a UCLA game he was working at.  Mr. Costa was not only my teacher, but he showed he cared and got to know me.  He was like family.  As I am writing this, I am crying; remembering all of the fond memories of Mr. Costa.  I’m sure if he were here right now he would be correcting all the grammar mistakes I just made.  I will always remember him. We love you, Mr. Costa!

I remember having Mr. Costa at both Jordan & Burroughs. He was a jovial man who was quite passionate about the Bruins and would always make analogies between them and the curriculum he was teaching. Reading of his passing is sad, my condolences go out to his family.  

I really enjoyed being in his class. He was always very kind and patient with me when I had a hard time understanding something.  He will be missed😢

Mr. Costa was a teacher of mine in 7th grade at Jordan. He was one of the kindest teachers I ever had. I’ll always remember him. He will be greatly missed.

Gene Costa AKA Mr, Costa  I had him at Jordan and I'll never ever forget him, he team, taught with Mr. Ted Bunch AKA Mr. Bunch I can recall the day like it was yesterday when sitting in his 400 Hall classroom it felt like it was 100 degrees in class and Mr. Bunch was teaching that day and Mr. Bunch decided it was way to HOT to wear his hairpiece/ Wig any longer and in front of the class he took his hair off, and everyone in class rolled on the floor and the look on Mr. Costa's face was to die for his chin dropped and he looked and said Ted your BALD, that's all it took. I don't know how many years of psychological counseling I had to attend after that. Now look I'm totally bald I wonder if that had anything to do with it. May Mr. Costa RIP and Thank you for teaching me a lot, also being a good neighbor, and a good friend, I will never forget you and your smile.

Mr Costa was a great educator and teacher in the City of Burbank. I had the privilege of having him as my Government teacher my senior year at JBHS . Years later I would see him all the time out at the Rose Bowl and Pauley Pavilion for UCLA football and basketball games.  Whether it was wave from a far, a quick hello or an extended conversation about our Bruins,  I enjoyed catching up with  Mr Costa.

I love reading the other messages here and seeing how much Mr Costa meant to people. He will be missed. 

My prayers for strength go out  to the entire family. I was honor to know Mr Costa, at Jordan middle school, he was an amazing teacher, always being there for all of his students.  He will be missed. Rest In Peace. 

My condolences go out to the Costa family in this difficult time. Mr. Costa as he was affectionately known as, was a great and passionate Man. I had the privilege of getting to know him when I was a punk Junior High student  at Jordan Junior High.  He helped motivate me to study and basically stay the course, and he helped me realize my potential.  We later in life became friends as we  both loved anything  Ucla. Gene was a diehard Bruin fan and he would work the ucla home football and basketball games. He had a heart of gold. He always had a great smile whenever I would greet him at the games. If there were available seats in his section he would allow us to move down to whatever section he was working. I will truly miss him. He was an awesome Teacher, Mentor, and friend. Stay gold and RIP Gene. 💯💙🙏🏼

My condolences to the Costa Family at this time of sadness.  Please know he was a treasure and will truly be missed.  Had classes with him as my Social Studies teacher at Jordan and Burroughs.  We always talked about sports, especially Bruin Football.  I remember going to Bruin games and seeing him walking the sidelines and getting us close to the field to see the players!  Thank you for the memories!  God bless you and may you rest in peace.

Troy Wilson Class of 93' JBHS

Gene was a member of the JBHS Social Studies Department when I started teaching in 1993.  Never a day went by that he didn't greet me, ask how my teaching year was going, and offer kind words of encouragement.  After his retirement, he continued to stop by my classroom when he was on campus to share some "shop talk."  I will always remember how much he LOVED teaching and being around students!  I was lucky to have shared my time at JBHS with him.  How happy he must be in heaven with his dear June!  May he rest in peace.  My sympathies and prayers are with his family!

Mr. Costa was my senior year economics teacher at JBHS and he was one of the few that I remember who actually took the time to get to know us and talk about the things that we were interested in, which was usually sports. This is something that always stuck with me as I became a history teacher at Burbank High. Mr. Costa was always such a nice man with a great sense of humor. When I would need to call out sick, I always asked him to sub for me and it was so special to have my favorite high school teacher teaching in my class. I was very sad to hear of his passing and I will always remember him. I wish his family peace during this time and I hope you all know what an incredible impact he had on thousands of people for so long. Goodbye Mr. Costa, you will be missed and thank you for always believing in me.

Gene was such a good friend to myself and my daughters. I loved chatting with him and June while they watered the grass! I will miss him so much, and I pray for peace for his family. 

Rest in peace Mr. Costa. He was my Social Science teacher at Burroughs. For many years he was an usher for Bruins games at the Rose Bowl and Pauley Pavilion. A week before my dad passed away, I went to see UCLA\Stanford hoops and he got me on the floor to meet John Wooden. It was fun seeing him again two years ago at the renaming of the library for Mr. Campbell and any time I announced Indians Basketball. I have to find that pic with the Wizard...

My 5 siblings and I attended Jordan Jr. High and were well-aquainted with Mr. Costa there.  Though he seemed on the reserved and quiet side, he got to know us as students in his class and as individuals too.  Being a middle child in a family of 6 kids, I had siblings before and after me in school and Mr. Costa probably knew our mother quite well.  I became a teacher in BUSD in 1984 and expect to finish my career here.  What a pleasure it has been to see and interact with Mr. Costa all these years!  He remained as calm and friendly as he always had been, cheerful and kind every time I saw him.  Believe me when I say that he will be missed, and  his memory will always live on in my heart.  I hope that there will be plans of commemorating in some way his lengthy service to the District and its student body.  I would support that wholeheartedly!

Gene Costa was my home school teacher from when I hurt my back at school he made the homeschooling process so much easier he was such a kind man and kept me informed all about the outside world while I was inside I just wanted to say thank you 

Gene was our friend and colleague at JBHS for over 14 years.   He was always positive with a bright smile on his face.   
Gene was a gentleman and a  scholar. He made the world a better place.  We appreciated his friendship and outlook on life. 
Our condolences to the family. May Gene Rest In Peace. He will be missed.
With love,
Paul and Maritza Umpierre 

Mr. Costa was my Economics teacher at Burroughs High School in 1993. In addition to being a good teacher, he was also a genuinely nice guy who cared about his students. I'd never taken an Econmics course, so I was a bit nervous I'm sure. However, Mr. Costa made the material easy to digest and interesting.  He was always very supportive of me. Even though it was almost 30 years ago, I remember looking forward to his class every day. He was definitely a very good part of my high school years.  May he rest in peace and enjoy heaven with his wife.

Gene was a wonderful man.  His son Jim and I were very close friends growing up and I spent many days and nights at their house on Buena Vista just hanging out.  June was the receptionist at St. Joe's when my wife was admitted for the birth of our children way back when.  Since I live around the corner from Gene, he would walk over to my house and say HELLO once in a while and we would remember some great times.  I loved going to UCLA and visiting him   during games.  He would always want to take a picture of us together.  A truly sensational teacher, father and friend.  I will miss him.  RIP.

I worked with June at Vistamar School. I met Gene through June and would see them on occasion since we only lived a few blocks from each other. When June got sick Gene would stop by the house and give me updates. After June passed I would see Gene on occasion around the neighborhood. He will be missed

My condolences to the family.

Gene was such a lovely man.  I have (and still do) worked at both JBHS and BHS in the office.  Gene would quite often come into the office in order to pick up the attendance rosters for the teacher he was substituting for.  Gene was always so pleasant. I will miss his smiling face.

I am very sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,
Linda Bitto

Gene was always so sweet when he would come to the office and turn in his attendance sheets.  I will miss seeing him.  My deepest condolences to all his family.

Sincerely,

Elsa J.

OBITUARY

Gene Allen Costa

December 31, 1931 – April 11, 2020

Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park and Mortuary

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