T. MARK COSTELLO, SPECIAL EDUCATION PIONEER, IS DEAD AT 76

A LIFE LIVED IN SERVICE OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Thomas Mark Costello, who co-authored the New York State law giving children with disabilities and mental retardation access to equal educational rights, died Tuesday, July 22, 2018 at the age of 76.

During his career in special education, he spent over 25 years witnessing and appreciating what he called “the beauty of human difference”. He worked with children from a wide range of circumstances and abilities and took joy in watching them succeed in everyday life.

Mark, as his family and friends called him, graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, NY. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Le Moyne Jesuit College in Syracuse. Mark earned a Master’s Degree in Education from SUNY Brockport and completed post-graduate work at Syracuse University.

He began his career in 1963 teaching Special Education at Arlington School District in Poughkeepsie, NY. He also taught at Spencerport, Gates Chili, and Hillside Children’s Center in Rochester, where he started the school for special needs children.

He joined the Cayuga County BOCES in Auburn, New York in 1973, working as a Special Education Director. He ended his state tenure at the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES in Yorktown Heights, NY in 1996. His post-retirement work included administration at Green Chimney’s, a camp for exceptional children.

His dedication and passion for Special Education was documented in his memoir, “Confessions of a Special Eddie: Reflections in Appreciation of Human Difference”. In this book, he recalled his memories of the children he worked with and hoped to encourage a younger generation to consider a career in Special Education. It was his belief that the needs of children would be greater in the future.

In his spare time, Mark enjoyed watching sports, observing politics and was an avid reader. He followed the Syracuse Orangeman basketball team, the NY Giants football team and especially loved the San Francisco Giants baseball team. He fondly recalled the days they were a NY team. Mark was also an active member of the Democratic Party and once ran for Town Supervisor of LaGrange, NY.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Katherine Costello, as well as many friends he made throughout his life. He leaves behind his dedicated wife of more than 50 years, Carol Ann Dykeman-Costello. Two sons, Thomas K. Costello and Kevin M. Costello and a daughter Monica R. Lucas. Mark was blessed with six loving grandchildren, Ethan, Ryan, Jack, Katie and Christopher Costello, and Zoë Lucas. They will forever miss his corny jokes and warm hugs.

Calling hours will be held this Friday, on what would have been Mark’s 77th birthday. Please join us from 5 to 8 at McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY. The Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Church, where Mark was a member, at 10 am on Saturday, July 28 followed by interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to McQuaid Jesuit High School. Please visit Mark’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.