Col. Robert A. Costa, U.S Army, Ret. - 73, a former employee of Raytheon Company and a Vietnam Veteran, died July 24, 2007 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Anna Maria (Anders) Costa.
Mr. Costa was born in Boston and lived in Wellesley Hills. Prior to that he lived in Concord for several years. He was the son of the late Alexander and Philomena (Nichols) Costa.
Mr. Costa served in the military during four different decades of the 20th century and was a Vietnam Veteran. Before retiring from the military in 1989 to join the Raytheon Company in Bedford, Mr. Costa served as the U.S. Army Attaché in Rome, Italy from 1982-1985, followed by two years as Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon and finally as the Chief of the Office of Defense Corporation in Rome, Italy. He was awarded the Silver Star and was presented numerous other decorations for valor and service during his career. He was a man of peace when he could be and a warrior when called by his country to be. A common man giving extraordinary uncommon service.
He was the devoted father of Robert W. Costa of Wellesley, Alexander Costa of Randolph, William Costa of Carver and Alexandra Costa of Yonkers, NY. Also survived by 6 grandchildren. Brother of Thelma Griffin of Belmont and the late Sylvia Pandos. Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) Wellesley, on Friday at 8:00 AM. Funeral mass in St. Paul’s Church, Wellesley, at 9:00 AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 PM. Interment Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Robert’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.