Phil Costa: former area resident & WW II veteran

Longtime Amityville and Massapequa resident Philip J. Costa died at his home in Snug Habor, Amityville July 15, 2008. He was 84 and had lived in Snug Harbor for more than 20 years.

He was born to Phillip and Fannie (Praeger) Costa on July 30, 1923 in Brooklyn and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. For more than 30 years, he lived in Nassau Shores and and then Old Harbour Green in Massapequa, before moving to Amityville. Mr. Costa was employed by NYNEX Corporation in Manhattan as a safety supervisor until his retirement.

For many years he served as chaplain for the American Legion Amityville Post #1015.

"My dad loved cars and attended many car shows," said his daughter, Pamela Nier, who added that he loved to play golf and was a marksman.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Costa also leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Rosemarie; his daughter Paula Margolin; his stepchildren: Kathryn Schreiber, Elizabeth Trinidad, Kevin, Andrew, Sean and Patrick Marron. His grandchildren, Jennifer Nier Swindells, Shannon, Eric, Michael, Alyssa, Mark James, Patrick, Travis, Robert, and Emily Marron, Annie Trinidad and Rosemary Schreiber also survive him as do his great grandchildren: James Philip and John Robert Swindells and Liam Whitewolf and his sister, Eleanor Kleofer.

Monsignor Rocco Villano conducted a Funeral Service at the Powell Funeral Home in Amityville July 19, 2008. Entombment followed at the Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn, with Military Honors.

Donations in Mr. Costa's name can be sent to the Hospice Care Network, 99 Sunnyside Blvd., Woodbury, New York 11797 or to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123.