Obituary for August "Augie" Costa
August Costa, 92, a lifelong resident of Ludlow, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 28, at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke. August (known affectionately as “Augie” to many and “Gus” to others)) was one of five children of the late Antonio and Julia Costa, Portuguese immigrants who raised their family in a rented home on Duke Street in Ludlow provided to laborers of the Ludlow Manufacturing Company, which was then the largest jute mill in the world and relied heavily on immigrant workers. After August married his wife Diolinda Rodrigues (who grew up on the same street), they moved into a new home in Ludlow and started a family, having a daughter Carol and son David. August lived at home in Ludlow until about two and a half years ago, when health issues became too difficult.
August was predeceased just four months ago by the love of his life, his beloved wife of 67 years, Diolinda. He was also predeceased by his sisters Anna Dias (Joseph, Jr.); Barbara Cachucho (Mario); Mary Goncalves (Domenic); and his brother John Costa (Antonia Martins).
He is survived by his daughter Carol, a retired educator, of Springfield; his son David, a retired Air Force veteran and health care administrator of Woodbridge, VA, and his wife Carol; and his beloved granddaughter Karen of Woodbridge, VA. He is also survived by his in-laws Mario Cachucho of Ludlow; Candido Rodrigues of Springfield; Clara Rodrigues and Stephanie Rodrigues of Ludlow; his god-child Julie Hoeckh of Ludlow; nieces, nephews and other extended family; and his eager companion, Rocky, the family poodle who provided many moments of play and comfort.
August attended Ludlow High School and then Springfield Trade School, where he learned the machinist's trade. He played soccer for Ludlow and Trade. He learned to play the French horn and played in the marching band and orchestra of the Gremio Lusitano Club from Ludlow. Gus joined the Marines during World War II. He was an Expert Rifleman who carried the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) during combat. He fought in the Pacific front as a Corporal in the Fourth Marine Division. Gus received the Purple Heart for injuries he received in action against the Japanese on the island of Okinawa in June of 1945. After the war, he held many machinist and supervisory positions at the Ludlow Mills, Monsanto, Chapman Valve, Mercer Paper Tube, and several other shops, before trying his hand at real estate and insurance. Never satisfied, he studied for a state exam and ended his employment history working in the State Tax Department.
Augie met his wife Dee while they were employed at the Ludlow Mills. He introduced her to sports at a Springfield Indians hockey game at the Coliseum in West Springfield. They enjoyed dancing, too, as he was quite the dancer. In a few years they settled into their new home near Our Lady of Fatima Church in Ludlow, where they had been married. He loved taking his young family to Ogunquit, Maine, to Connecticut beaches, and to New England attractions. He was a big Yankees fan who loved watching the Yanks play the Sox. He was also a man of deep faith. He was very involved with his parish council and with the Portuguese Club for many years. He enjoyed overseeing the maintenance of the Anna C. Dias soccer fields behind the church and loved watching the kids play. He was a trustee of the Joseph and Anna Dias Foundation. August will be remembered as a friendly, fun-loving man who loved to laugh and sing and make people smile. He never met a person he didn’t like. He was a kind and sentimental man, a proud American, a devoted husband and father, and a handy man who could do just about anything. He once said he wanted only to be remembered as “a good man.” August Costa was a very good man.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ludlow Funeral Home, 432 East Street in Ludlow. Calling hours will be Saturday, August 6, from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a funeral mass to be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 438 Winsor Street in Ludlow, at 11:00 a.m., and then burial with military honors at St. Aloysius Cemetery on Berkshire Avenue in Springfield. For those inclined to make a memorial donation, please consider The Gray House, 22 Sheldon St., Springfield, MA 01107. The family wishes to extend deep appreciation to all the wonderful caregivers who supported August in the past few years.
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August was predeceased just four months ago by the love of his life, his beloved wife of 67 years, Diolinda. He was also predeceased by his sisters Anna Dias (Joseph, Jr.); Barbara Cachucho (Mario); Mary Goncalves (Domenic); and his brother John Costa (Antonia Martins).
He is survived by his daughter Carol, a retired educator, of Springfield; his son David, a retired Air Force veteran and health care administrator of Woodbridge, VA, and his wife Carol; and his beloved granddaughter Karen of Woodbridge, VA. He is also survived by his in-laws Mario Cachucho of Ludlow; Candido Rodrigues of Springfield; Clara Rodrigues and Stephanie Rodrigues of Ludlow; his god-child Julie Hoeckh of Ludlow; nieces, nephews and other extended family; and his eager companion, Rocky, the family poodle who provided many moments of play and comfort.
August attended Ludlow High School and then Springfield Trade School, where he learned the machinist's trade. He played soccer for Ludlow and Trade. He learned to play the French horn and played in the marching band and orchestra of the Gremio Lusitano Club from Ludlow. Gus joined the Marines during World War II. He was an Expert Rifleman who carried the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) during combat. He fought in the Pacific front as a Corporal in the Fourth Marine Division. Gus received the Purple Heart for injuries he received in action against the Japanese on the island of Okinawa in June of 1945. After the war, he held many machinist and supervisory positions at the Ludlow Mills, Monsanto, Chapman Valve, Mercer Paper Tube, and several other shops, before trying his hand at real estate and insurance. Never satisfied, he studied for a state exam and ended his employment history working in the State Tax Department.
Augie met his wife Dee while they were employed at the Ludlow Mills. He introduced her to sports at a Springfield Indians hockey game at the Coliseum in West Springfield. They enjoyed dancing, too, as he was quite the dancer. In a few years they settled into their new home near Our Lady of Fatima Church in Ludlow, where they had been married. He loved taking his young family to Ogunquit, Maine, to Connecticut beaches, and to New England attractions. He was a big Yankees fan who loved watching the Yanks play the Sox. He was also a man of deep faith. He was very involved with his parish council and with the Portuguese Club for many years. He enjoyed overseeing the maintenance of the Anna C. Dias soccer fields behind the church and loved watching the kids play. He was a trustee of the Joseph and Anna Dias Foundation. August will be remembered as a friendly, fun-loving man who loved to laugh and sing and make people smile. He never met a person he didn’t like. He was a kind and sentimental man, a proud American, a devoted husband and father, and a handy man who could do just about anything. He once said he wanted only to be remembered as “a good man.” August Costa was a very good man.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ludlow Funeral Home, 432 East Street in Ludlow. Calling hours will be Saturday, August 6, from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a funeral mass to be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 438 Winsor Street in Ludlow, at 11:00 a.m., and then burial with military honors at St. Aloysius Cemetery on Berkshire Avenue in Springfield. For those inclined to make a memorial donation, please consider The Gray House, 22 Sheldon St., Springfield, MA 01107. The family wishes to extend deep appreciation to all the wonderful caregivers who supported August in the past few years.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
6
Aug
9:00 AM
- 10:15 AM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
Saturday
6
Aug
11:00 AM
Our Lady of Fatima Parish
438 Winsor Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
St. Aloysius Cemetery
1273 Berkshire Avenue
Indian Orchard, Ma 01151
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