James Francis Costello

James Francis Costello, of Norwood, passed away Monday afternoon, August 26, 2024, in his residence. He was 80.
James is survived by his loving daughter Michelle M. Fruci and her husband William P. of Dedham, his cherished grandchildren Olivia and Adam “A.J.” Mammone and his sister-in-law Mary Costello of Wilmington. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins and extended family.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara A (McDonough) Costello, his brothers Edward and Thomas Costello and his sister Anne Buckley.
The son of the late Edmund and Anna (Evans) Costello, James was born in Boston and raised and lived in the Dorchester neighborhood till 1978. He then moved to Norwood where he had resided prior to moving to Westwood in 2004. He graduated Catholic Memorial High School with the Class of 1962 and was a member of their football team and track and field team in which he competed in the Hurdles event. James went on to complete his bachelor’s degree at Northeastern University in Boston.
A veteran of the Navy he served during the Vietnam era as an aircrew survival equipmentman apprentice. He was a member of the American Legion Post 106, Sharon.
James had worked for over twenty years at the Norwood Hospital as nuclear medicine technologist prior to starting his own company in 1991, Nuke-Temps Staffing Agency.
A devout communicant of St. Timothy Parish in Norwood, he had served as an usher at his usual 8:30 Mass. James was St. Tim’s CYO athletic director and basketball coach, he was lovingly known by all his players as “Coach” or “Mr. C”. A true lover of sports he enjoyed following both college and professional teams, but his favorite teams were the ones that his grandchildren played for. “Grampy” as he was known in stands would be there to cheer them along. James had a special relationship with nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed horse races, taking care the occasional trip to Foxwoods to play blackjack, doing puzzles and card games with his friends. James loved his time at the beach and he and the family seasoned for many years at Swifts Beach in Wareham. He had given great care to his two border collies, Casey and Mickey and continued that loving care to his daughter’s family dogs Diesel and Pepper.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in celebration of James’s life at 10:30AM on Thursday, September 5th at St. Timothy Church, Nichols Street, Norwood. Visitation will be held at the Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home 1248 Washington St. Norwood, Wednesday, September 4th, 4-8PM.
Donations in his memory may be made to Massachusetts Vest-a-Dog at www.mavestadog.org .