James Mark Costanzo, September 7, 1954 – July 7, 2017
Mark Costanzo died unexpectedly in his sleep at his home in Spring, Texas, on July 7, 2017. His wife, parents, sisters, godchild, and friends, as well as his wife’s entire family, all feel an enormous loss with his passing.
James “Mark” Costanzo was born September 7, 1954. Raised in the Catholic faith, he went to St. Paschal’s Catholic School, served as an altar boy and was confirmed. From there he went to Argonne Jr. High and West Valley High School. He was very active during those years. Interests included the 4-H Club, Sliver Spurs and fishing along the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d’Alene. He learned to play the violin, was involved in wrestling and loved to snow ski.
After graduation, Mark went to work at the Town and Country Restaurant where his blue eyes garnered him many tips. As a young man, he enjoyed cars, motocross and scuba diving. He went to work for Union Pacific Railroad as a Sectionman in Spokane on February 11, 1974. He worked for Union Pacific through the 1970s In Walla Walla, WA; Hermiston, OR; and Nampa, ID.
In 1977, while in Hermiston, he was promoted to Yardmaster at the Hinkle Yard and started his management career with the Railroad. In 1980 he was transferred to Cheyenne, WY, as Terminal Trainmaster, later moving into the dispatching office as a train dispatcher. In 1987, Mark accepted a transfer to the Portland, OR, dispatching office where the Railroad was operating their next-generation computer-aided train dispatching system.
It was in Portland that he met and married the love of his life, Susan Jo Holmes. Leaving Portland in 1989, they arrived in Omaha, NE, before being transferred to Livonia, LA; Spring, TX; back to Omaha; and finally back to Spring, TX, in 2005.
During his spare time, Mark enjoyed cycling the hills of Lake Livingston and around Lufkin, TX. When he had less time, he’d ride a 20-40 mile loop in his Benders Landing neighborhood. He jokingly called that ride the “Tour de Benders” as there were no hills or Alps to climb, just a ride on smooth, flat road.
Mark participated in many triathlons in the '80s and '90s, but traded that sport to compete in American Kennel Club Agility with his Bouvier des Flandres children. He won many awards with his beloved Bouviers--the most special was with their dog named Twister. At the time of his death, he had started training their new puppy Cruiser in foundation work to establish a solid base on which to move forward into competition.
Mark loved to cook and entertain. He was famous for his spaghetti sauce and manicotti. His devotion to family and friends will never be forgotten. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.
Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents Giacomo and Rose Costanzo, Frank and Elizabeth Jobe; his godparents Andy and Angie Pirello; and his beloved Bouviers Twister, Sunny, and Manta. He is survived by his wife, Susan, Spring, TX; his parents, Augustine and Florentina
Costanzo, Spokane; sisters Cathleen (Glenn) Jones, of Fort Myers, FL, Maureen Costanzo of Spokane; godchild Shannon Dunn of Surprise, AZ; and his Bouvier children Cayenne, Raven, Onyx, and Cruiser; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends that shared his zest for life while railroading, cycling, scuba diving, and competing in AKC events.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 4th, at 10 a.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 503 N. Walnut Rd., Spokane, WA 99214. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 18725 E. Trent.
In lieu of flowers, the family has elected three charitable organizations for those who wish to remember Mark.
Bouvier Health Foundation
C/O Dayle Sullivan, ABdFC Treasurer
10672 Tuscany Ct.
San Diego, CA 92127-2162
www.BouvierHealthFoundation.org
American Bouvier Rescue League
C/O Deborah Abeles
PO Box 689
Cheshire, MA 01225-0689
www.ABRL.org
Spokefest
CO/Bill Bender
PO Box 786
Spokane, WA 99210
http://spokefest.org/
SpokeFest Association is a non-profit organization which promotes bicycling for health and transportation. The organization presents educational seminars on bike safety at school-age and adult levels.
A Celebration of Life event will occur mid-October to mid-November in the Houston area. More information will be provided mid-September or early October.