We share with great sorrow our beloved husband, father, and Poppi, Colonel Joseph John Costanzo Jr., United States Army, retired, 77, of Fayetteville, NC, went to be with our great Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

Born in Asbury Park, NJ, to Josephine and Joseph Costanzo Sr., Joe was the youngest of five children: Anita, Rita, John, and Francis. Joe met the love of his life, Marie Muccillo, at age 7 when she transferred to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School. Joe and Marie grew up together with a love starting in middle school and eventually blossoming into marriage on November 13, 1966. By this time, Joe had completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Saint Peter's College and entered the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. Joe and Marie were blessed with three children, Joseph, JoAnne, and Christine.

Joe was a Vietnam War veteran serving with the HHC 2nd Battalion, 505th Paratrooper Infantry Regiment in the 82nd Airborne. He continued his Army career for 27 years. The Army took Joe and his family to Thailand, Maryland, North Carolina, Germany, and finally back to Fort Bragg, NC. After the Army, Joe was the Administrator for Fayetteville Family Medical Care for 10 years. After a second retirement, Joe enjoyed having more time to travel and spend time with his family. At the top of that list was his immense enjoyment for the game of golf, fishing, and watching every NY Yankees game of every season.

But what really made Joe the happiest was his wife Marie, children, and grandchildren: Joseph and Deborah Costanzo, their girls, Lily and Morgan; JoAnne and Mike Grafinger, their boys, Michael, Joseph, and William; and Christine Costanzo and her daughter Bella. Joe loved a huge family gathering. Everyone in attendance could count on too much food, funny stories, tons of laughter, and love all around. His loving heart and faith have left a beacon of light for all those who knew him.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, November 30th, at 11:30 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 1000 Andrews Road, Fayetteville, NC. Visitation with the family will be prior from 10:30 am – 11:15 am. The Interment will be at 2:00 pm at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Boulevard in Spring Lake, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Joe’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.