LUDLOW – Gary R. Costa, 61, a longtime resident of Ludlow, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield from injuries received in an ATV accident in Granby. He was born in Holyoke on October 21, 1954, a son of the late Albert J. Costa and Thelma (Labelle) Costa. Around the age of five, his family moved to West Springfield and later to Agawam where he graduated from Agawam High School. Gary was employed for over 20 years as a Waste Water Operator at the Springfield Waste Water Treatment Plant. Gary loved life and the outdoors. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and riding his ATV. He was a member of the Chicopee Sportsmen’s Club in Granby. Gary passed away doing what he loved best - enjoying life. His famous quote to all his family and friends was “I am not here for a long time. I am here for a good time”. Gary leaves his eight loving children, Mary L. Costa Robles and her husband, David Robles, of West Suffield, CT, Anne M. Stambaugh and her husband, Joshua Stambaugh, of Woodland Hills, CA, Sarah E. Olko and her husband, Edward Olko, III, of Redondo Beach, CA, Adam R. Costa and his fiancée, Kristen Boileau, of Belleview, FL, Sharon R. Anderson and her husband, Caleb Anderson, of Apple Valley, MN, Jenny R. Wiersma and her husband, Andy Wiersma, of Boise, ID, Charles D. Sullivan and his fiancée, Nina Day, of Springfield and Benjamin Sullivan of Virginia; his 17 cherished grandchildren; his special mother, Mary Ann (Poggi) Costa of Chicopee; his three dear brothers Albert D. Costa of Westfield, David M. Costa and his wife, Ruth, of Russell, and Andrew Pierpont and his wife, Lori, of Ludlow; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Costa families. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3:30 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com