Obituary of Paul J. Costa, Sr.

Paul Joseph Costa, Sr. age 99, of Trumbull, died peacefully in his home on Monday, January 8, 2018. He was born in Bridgeport on April 13, 1918, to Joseph and Filomena (Musone) Costa. Raised during the depression, he spent his formative years working in a family barbershop shining shoes, which led to his careers in barbering (1937) and hairstyling (1939).

During World War II, he served with the United States Army attached to the 5th General Hospital in Europe where he was a litter bearer and barber. While stationed in England, Paul cut and styled a nurse's hair, which resulted in all the nurses petitioning for a hairstyling salon to "boost moral". Once permission was granted, he set-up a hairstyling salon for them in a corner of the hospital; however, his hairdressing days ended after D-Day when the unit shipped out to France. In 1945, he received an honorable discharge and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. Returning home, he met Jean and became the proprietor of Paul's Hairstyling Salon in Bridgeport in 1947. They were married in 1950, moving to Trumbull where together they raised their family and ran their business for 32 years before retiring. Paul and Jean were married for nearly 62 years and enjoyed a long, healthy, and happy life together. Paul will be remembered most lovingly for his homemade pizza. He was a truly gifted man and a great story teller whose stories always had a happy ending. He always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. He took pleasure in spending time with his family, cooking, salt water fishing, gardening, refinishing furniture, spending days at the beach and trips to NYC.

He is survived by his two daughters, Phyllis Collier of Trumbull, and Diane Ancel and her husband Andrew of Milford, a son, Richard P. Costa and his wife Jane of Boxford, MA, four granddaughters, Allison and Lindsay Ancel and Rachel and Rebecca Costa, sisters-in-law Terry Wargo of Monroe and Dora Costa of Trumbull, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Paul J. Costa, Jr., a brother Frank, and three sisters, Rose Salvaggio, Ann Palmieri, and Terry Hanlon.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the wonderful caregivers whose kindness, love and tender care made it possible for him to remain in his home -Sharon Williams, Miriam and Fiona Williams and Curtis Vereen. The family would also like to thank the wonderful Vitas staff for their dedication and comfort care during Paul's last year.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. directly in St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main Street, Trumbull. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery with full military honors. Family and friends may greet the family on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 5-8 PM in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Vitas Hospice, 488 Main Avenue 3rd Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.abriola.com