H. Patrick Costello was born on August 17, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, the only child of Harry and Agnes (Smith) Costello. An educator and devoted family man, he lived a life guided by faith, service, and love of learning. He died at home on November 13, 2025.
Pat graduated from Leo High School in 1950 where he was quarterback of the football team, playing several memorable games at Soldier Field before huge crowds, had the singing lead in his senior play, and was valedictorian of his class. He then attended St. Mary's College, graduating in 1954. He was a three time all-conference basketball player and set the MIAC single-season scoring record, finishing his career playing on a college all-star team in an exhibition series against the world champion Minneapolis Lakers.
Following graduation, Pat taught and coached for a year at Christian Brothers High School and College in Memphis, Tennessee. He returned to Chicago and earned an M.A degree from Loyola University Chicago. He then taught at Brother Rice High School, where he coached basketball in the Chicago Catholic League.
In 1960, Pat married Joan (Smith) in Chicago. The following year he returned to St. Mary's College as an English instructor and assistant basketball coach. In 1965, he was awarded a Danforth Teacher Grant, enabling him to complete his Ph.D. at Loyola University.
In more than 40 years at St. Mary's he shared his love of literature with generations of students. He taught Shakespeare every year and chaired the department several times. From 1974-76, he returned to the basketball court as head coach while continuing his full teaching load. He received the Br. Charles Severin award for outstanding teaching and is in the SMU Athletic Hall of Fame. In retirement, he led the Great River Shakespeare Festival Collegium for eight years.
Pat was a devoted parishioner at St. Mary's Parish from 1961 onward, serving as a lector and member of both the Parish Council and Education Committee several times. He was deeply committed to service, faithfully preparing weekly dinners for the Catholic Worker House from 1992 until 2013.
He was an ardent supporter of his children's and grandchildren's athletic and school activities. Pat loved to cook and sing, often at the same time. He had an uncanny ability to remember the lyrics to seemingly every song he ever heard. He loved potatoes, New Orleans jazz, Chicago blues, Irish music and British mysteries. Pat walked to work and back, 6 miles a day, and played noonball.
As spokesman for his high school, his comments were featured in the Chicago Sunday Tribune in 1950: "I'd like to leave the world a better place for my being in it. I want to use every bit of talent I have for the good of other men." We believe he succeeded in that desire through his teaching, faith, family, and example. Pat's legacy lives on in the countless students, colleagues, friends, and family members, especially his beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews, whose lives he touched with his wisdom, warmth and generous spirit.
He is survived by his wife Joan of almost 65 years and his daughters Rosemary O'Connell, Kathleen Costello and Mary Eileen (Dan) Fitch, and four sons Patrick (Trish), Michael (Stacy), Hugh (Thelma) and Daniel (Rosario) and grandchildren: Danny, Mary Rose and Julia Costello, Sean and Liam O'Connell, Joseph, Megan and Colleen (Coco) Costello, Patrick, Hugh and Santiago Costello and Lucy, Emmett and Patrick (Packy) Fitch.
Pat donated his body to Mayo Clinic for medical education and research. The Visitation and Celebration of his Life will be held on Friday, Nov. 28 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at St. Mary's University Toner Center and on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9:30 until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Mass at St. Mary's Parish, Winona.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ferris and Dr Turner for their care and the entire Winona Health Hospice Staff for their extraordinary kindness, compassion and competence these past two years.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be directed to St. Mary's Parish or Cotter Schools.
Pat graduated from Leo High School in 1950 where he was quarterback of the football team, playing several memorable games at Soldier Field before huge crowds, had the singing lead in his senior play, and was valedictorian of his class. He then attended St. Mary's College, graduating in 1954. He was a three time all-conference basketball player and set the MIAC single-season scoring record, finishing his career playing on a college all-star team in an exhibition series against the world champion Minneapolis Lakers.
Following graduation, Pat taught and coached for a year at Christian Brothers High School and College in Memphis, Tennessee. He returned to Chicago and earned an M.A degree from Loyola University Chicago. He then taught at Brother Rice High School, where he coached basketball in the Chicago Catholic League.
In 1960, Pat married Joan (Smith) in Chicago. The following year he returned to St. Mary's College as an English instructor and assistant basketball coach. In 1965, he was awarded a Danforth Teacher Grant, enabling him to complete his Ph.D. at Loyola University.
In more than 40 years at St. Mary's he shared his love of literature with generations of students. He taught Shakespeare every year and chaired the department several times. From 1974-76, he returned to the basketball court as head coach while continuing his full teaching load. He received the Br. Charles Severin award for outstanding teaching and is in the SMU Athletic Hall of Fame. In retirement, he led the Great River Shakespeare Festival Collegium for eight years.
Pat was a devoted parishioner at St. Mary's Parish from 1961 onward, serving as a lector and member of both the Parish Council and Education Committee several times. He was deeply committed to service, faithfully preparing weekly dinners for the Catholic Worker House from 1992 until 2013.
He was an ardent supporter of his children's and grandchildren's athletic and school activities. Pat loved to cook and sing, often at the same time. He had an uncanny ability to remember the lyrics to seemingly every song he ever heard. He loved potatoes, New Orleans jazz, Chicago blues, Irish music and British mysteries. Pat walked to work and back, 6 miles a day, and played noonball.
As spokesman for his high school, his comments were featured in the Chicago Sunday Tribune in 1950: "I'd like to leave the world a better place for my being in it. I want to use every bit of talent I have for the good of other men." We believe he succeeded in that desire through his teaching, faith, family, and example. Pat's legacy lives on in the countless students, colleagues, friends, and family members, especially his beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews, whose lives he touched with his wisdom, warmth and generous spirit.
He is survived by his wife Joan of almost 65 years and his daughters Rosemary O'Connell, Kathleen Costello and Mary Eileen (Dan) Fitch, and four sons Patrick (Trish), Michael (Stacy), Hugh (Thelma) and Daniel (Rosario) and grandchildren: Danny, Mary Rose and Julia Costello, Sean and Liam O'Connell, Joseph, Megan and Colleen (Coco) Costello, Patrick, Hugh and Santiago Costello and Lucy, Emmett and Patrick (Packy) Fitch.
Pat donated his body to Mayo Clinic for medical education and research. The Visitation and Celebration of his Life will be held on Friday, Nov. 28 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at St. Mary's University Toner Center and on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9:30 until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Mass at St. Mary's Parish, Winona.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ferris and Dr Turner for their care and the entire Winona Health Hospice Staff for their extraordinary kindness, compassion and competence these past two years.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be directed to St. Mary's Parish or Cotter Schools.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harry Patrick Costello, please visit our flower store.
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