Joseph Enos Costa, Jr.

Joseph Enos "Joe" Costa, Jr., age 95, of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of family members on Monday, March 15, 2021. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on December 20, 1925 to the late Joseph E. Sr. and Pauline Costa (nee Kowalczyk).

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, James L. Costa, Mary Jo Greene, Richard G. Costa, and his son, Joseph "Jay" E. Costa, IV. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Claire P. Costa (nee Champagne); children, Claire P. "Junie" (Donna Grenon) Costa, Jay's wife, Bernice Costa, Bradley C. (Patrice Moore) Costa, Gregory A. (Rhonda) Costa, Kay-Leslie (James) Nassiff, Pauline M. (Michael) Oliveira, Andrea E. Costa; grandchildren, Noella C. Rivers, Ryan J. Costa, Michelle L. Burk, Aleece Mero, Jenna Magee, Joseph Moore-Costa, Dr. Jonathan Sasenick, Matthew Sasenick, Ryan Sasenick, Allison Sasenick, Kirsten E. Nassiff, Jeffrey A. Nassiff, Jonathan M. Nassiff, Courtney E. Whitaker, and Michael Oliveira, Jr.; several great-grandchildren; brothers, Leon R. Costa and William A. Costa; and a host of other family members and friends.

Joe grew up in Fall River, attending BMC Durfee High School. After marrying Claire in 1948, the couple moved to San Francisco where Joe began playing professional baseball for, first, his beloved Boston Red Sox and then later, the St. Louis Browns organizations as a left fielder. During his brief career, Joe has said his biggest thrill was chasing down a fly-ball in a game and catching it with is bare hand.

A natural athlete, Joe also was a semi-pro soccer goalie.

Soon after, the couple returned to Fall River to start a family that eventually blossomed into seven children. Joe became a provider, supporter, enthusiast, champion and chauffeur to all his children for so many activities such as academics, sports, and music, particularly accordion lessons and competitions.
That unselfish attitude continued through the growth of their family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Through the years, Joe was employed for various positions by the City of Fall River, J & J Corrugated, and J.J. Taylor Distributing working as a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, plus a number of other jobs in the surrounding area – sometimes unselfishly holding as many as 3 jobs at once to help support his family.

One of those jobs was working at the Fall River Boys Club of America where he was involved in the guiding and shaping of young lives.

Upon retirement in 1992, the couple moved to Florida where Joe finished out his employment career as a part time custodian for the Lee County School District. In 2008 the couple moved to the west side of Cincinnati in Cheviot.

An overall sports enthusiast, Joe particularly loved following and watching both baseball, especially the Boston Red Sox and, in later years of his life, the Cincinnati Reds, as well as all levels of soccer, both domestically and internationally.

In loving memory of Joe, contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. A visitation will be held Friday, March 19, 2021 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am with a service at 11:00 am at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions - West Side Chapel, 3300 Parkcrest Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211.