Joseph N. “Papa Joe” Costa, 80, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at his residence.
Graveside services will be held 11 AM, Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Dorminy Mill Cemetery in Ben Hill County, Georgia, with the Rev. Bryan Luke officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Costa was born December 12, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Joseph Costa and the late Vaca Chiccini Costa. He served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. He was a retired Deputy Sheriff, having served Sumter County, Florida for over 25 years. Mr. Costa loved to visit Wal-Mart on a daily basis and enjoyed attending the Friday night auction. He enjoyed western-style shooting and had won many awards.
He is survived by his two sons: Joseph “Joey” & Rebecca Costa and Jimmy & Carolyn Costa, all of Fitzgerald; step-son, J.R. Pitcher of Maryville, Tennessee; grandchildren: Whitney Costa, Matt Costa, Steven Costa, Jason Costa, Matthew Hines, Rebecca & Hans Oellerich, Megan & Bubba Taylor, and Corey Hayes; and great-grandchildren: Ethan Reliford, Evan Reliford, Tyler Reliford, Anzleigh Reliford, Dante Howard, Jake Costa, Ryleigh Taylor, Cade Taylor, Keely Taylor, Kelbie Costa, and Gunnar Hayes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Costa.