http://www.flynnfuneral.com/obituary/casimiro-costa
Casimiro “Casey†Bento Palma da Costa, 71, passed away quietly in the arms of his loving wife and in the mists daughters after a long battle of illness on Friday, January 19, 2018. He was born in Portugal and was the first of his five siblings to immigrate to the United States in 1963. He was a licensed Broker of Property and Casualty Insurance, a Licensed Real Estate Agent and graduated with an Associates Degree in Marketing from Middlesex County College.
Casey started his career originally employed by the National Tourist and Trade Office of Portugal on Fifth Avenue in New York City and then later worked for New York Airways. Not soon after, his entrepreneurial spirit lead him to becoming the proprietor of C.P. Costa’s Agency Inc., established as a travel and insurance business and Amboy Driving School, Inc., serving the community for over 30 years located on Amboy Avenue in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
His charismatic personality, flare for fashion and his notable cowboy hat simply lit up the room just by walking into it. He was a true gentleman, who loved his family, his religion, his proud heritage and this country.
One of his most prominent attributes was his love for dance. His life was forever changed when he met his life-long dance partner, Marie L. Posluszny from Staten Island, New York. They married on August 30th, 1975, merging two families and cultures of Portuguese and Polish lineage. They began their lifetime of extensive travel and adventures together, making Edison, New Jersey their home.
Casey will be remembered by so many, gracing the dance floor with his wife, Marie, to the sounds of anything that carried a beat at the many community events they attended together. His other artistic talent of pristine sketches and scenic oil paintings, not only hung on the walls of his home and office, but they were featured exhibitions at the Perth Amboy and Newark Public Libraries.
Casey was known for his relationship building skills. He was one who gathered many people together and knew how to entertain guests, making them feel welcome and always at home. He was truly an awesome host for countless family and friends of long extensive lunches and dinners. There wasn’t a summer vacation in Portugal that didn’t go by, where Casey wasn’t giving tours of his homeland and sharing old historic legends to anyone who expressed interest in learning.
His many fall weekends were spent out in the woods with his brothers and friends as they shared in the love hunting. He was an avid huntsman and was often called a real “Man’s Man†amongst his admired friends.
Another one of Casey’s greatest loves was for the sport of soccer and his all-time favorite team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. Throughout his healthy years he enjoyed coaching children, participating in the Edison Metuchen League and organized/sponsored the C.P. Costa Agency team and belonged to the Perth Amboy Sporting Club soccer team.
Casey’s strategic leadership and passion for serving greatly contributed to the residents of Perth Amboy and Middlesex County, as well as to preserving the legacy of his Portuguese-American community. He was the Executive Board Member and Vice President of the Portuguese American Congress of Newark; he was the Campaign Coordinator for Mayor George Outlowski; Coordinated and accompanied Mayor Outlowski as the Portuguese Government guest of honor in 1983; served as the Commissioner for the Parking Authority of Perth Amboy; and also served the City of Perth Amboy on the: Committee of the 300th Anniversary, the Budget Review Committee, the Shade Tree Commission and the YMCA Advisory Committee; he was the Recipient of the Polish American World- Citizen of the Year Award; Winner of the 1978/79 Harvest Moon Ball Dance Competition in the Polka Division at Madison Square Garden; Original Charter Member and Past President of the General Assembly of the Portuguese Sporting Club of Perth Amboy; Past Treasurer Trustee of the Portuguese Church “Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima†in Perth Amboy; Past Vice President of Newark Portuguese LIONS Club; Member of the Elizabeth Portuguese LIONS Club and Project Coordinator of “Project Portugal†medical exchange; and he was a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus of Our Lady of Fatima, Elizabeth, N.J.
Casey was the very much the beloved husband of Marie and a devoted and loving father of daughters Julie Andrade, June Marie Nickolas/son-in-law Christopher Nickolas and Jennifer Marie Costa. He is survived by his three grandchildren Christopher Andrade, Daniella Andrade and Samantha Marie Nickolas and by his mother Eulalia Costa, five siblings: Maria Martins, John Costa, Mario DaCosta, Teresa DaCosta and Fernando Costa along with numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Loved ones are welcome to visit on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 from 2-4pm and 6-9pm at Flynn and Sons Funeral Home located at 23 Ford Ave, Fords, N.J. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 10:30am at Our Lady of Peace located at 620 Amboy Avenue, Edison-Fords, New Jersey. Interment, immediately following, at St. Gertrude Cemetery/Mausoleum in Colonia, N.J.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elizabeth Portuguese LIONS Club or to The Knights of Columbus Council #11798, Our Lady of Fatima Elizabeth, NJ. |