Eugene A. Costanza

Eugene Costanza, a long time resident of Reading died peacefully in his home on February 10th. He was 86.

While commissioned as a boilermaker in World War II he served on the USS Enterprise. With the help of the GI Bill he graduated from UMass Amherst in 1951 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He went on to work at RCA where he contributed to the Apollo Lunar Entry Module, best known for man's first walk on the moon. In addition, the lunar entry module was instrumental in the safe return of the astronauts on the Apollo 13.

Mr. Costanza was employed @ Raytheon Company for 30 years as a senior engineer. After retiring from Raytheon he enrolled at Northeastern University in the re-seed program, a program specifically designed to train retired engineers to teach science in public schools. He volunteered in some of the most challenging inner city schools in Massachusetts. After five years in Lowell Middle Schools, his dedication and enthusiasm earned him the teacher of the year award in 1996.

Mr. Costanza had many hobbies. He was an accomplished sailor and awarded many trophies for his success in the regatta season. He served as the commodore of the Quannapowitt Yacht Club in Wakefield and leader of the Captain's Club. He was a member of the racing committee of the Friendship sloop wooden boats and participated in the annual regatta in Rockland, Maine. He was a dedicated member of the Collings Foundation, which restores and maintains World War II planes. A nature lover and nature conservationist ahead of his time, he taught his children to love and respect the beauty and mystery of the outdoors. On extensive camping trips he explored miles of mountains and valleys of the Pacific Northwest in a 1970 Volkswagen camper van with his wife and five kids. His passed on his love and interest of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. Mr. Costanza had a love of Alaskan Malamute sled dogs. He participated in community sled dog races and supported and contributed to sled dog rescue programs. He enjoyed his summers on Bow Lake in Strafford, NH swimming, fishing, sailing and spending time with his wife, children and six grandchildren.

Eugene was the beloved husband of Ann (Lally) Costanza. He was the devoted father of Eugene A. Costanza, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth, Ann Marie Simmons and her husband Rick, Jeannette Powers, Mary Coppinger and her husband Robert and Paul Costanza. Eugene was the cherished grandfather of Christopher, Riann, Mimi, R.J., Sam and Jeffrey. The dear brother of the late Mary Sullivan and her husband Walter, he was the longtime friend of Father Nicholas Spagnola. The son of the late Harry J. Costanza and Jane A. (Casham) Costanza, he was also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Doherty – Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden St. READING Thursday, February 13,2014 at 9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Eugene's Eternal Life in St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St. Reading at 10:30am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the Family on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 from 4-8pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and handicapped entrance are available.

Please honor Eugene by making donations in his memory to Development Office of VNA of Middlesex East and Visiting Nurse Hospice 607 North Ave. Ste. 17 Wakefield, MA 01880.

For more information www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome