Regis E. Costello

On Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, Regis E. Costello of Emsworth passed away peacefully at the age of 91.  Rege was the beloved husband of Margaret “Ruth” Breitenbach Costello, to whom he was married for 68 years.  Rege was born on July 29, 1929, and was raised in Glenfield.  He graduated from Sewickley High School in 1948 and served in the U.S. Army in active duty for two years and in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years until his honorable discharge as Corporal.
Rege was preceded in death by his granddaughter Erin and his brother, Jack Beeler (survived by his wife, Alice). Rege is survived by his wife, Ruth; sister, Eleanor “Ellie” Nicholson of Washington, Ga.; daughter, Marilyn (Ed) Markoff; and son, Edward (Carla) Costello.  He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Hayley (Tim) Hinkle, Steve Markoff, Ryan Costello and Evan Costello; two great grandchildren, Brayden Hinkle and Mackenzie Hinkle; and many nieces and nephews.
He was a familiar face throughout the North Boroughs, in large part because of his daily jogging regimen.  A track star in high school, Rege resumed running in his early 40s.  As a fierce competitor who was among the fastest distance runners in the country in his age group for decades, he competed in 49 marathons and hundreds of 10k and 5k races – in total logging more than 50,000 miles, equaling twice the circumference of the Earth.
Rege served his community in many ways, including as Emsworth Mayor from 1982 to 1989 and as a member of Emsworth Borough Council from 1966 to 1974, with terms as council president and vice president. He was a member of the Avonworth Athletic Council from 1970 to 1974, including terms as vice president and treasurer.  He volunteered for the Avonworth Antelopes high school football program, working the sidelines as part of the chain crew for 50 years.  He also was an usher at the Sacred Heart dedication Mass in 1955, and continued to serve the parish in that role for the next 60 years.
Family and Friends are welcome for visitation on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at The McDonald-Linn Funeral and Cremation Service, LLC, 529 California Avenue, Avalon, PA 15202.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Sacred Heart Church 154 Orchard Ave., Emsworth, PA 15202 on Wednesday, August 05, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET IN CHURCH AT 11 AM. Burial with military honors will follow at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery.
Please view and sign the family’s online guestbook www.mcdonald-linn.com

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