Hamilton – Gerald A. “Jake” Costello Sr., 76, of Hamilton, formerly of Haverhill, was called home to the Lord on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 with his family by his side at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington after being stricken ill suddenly at home.Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late, Myles J. and Nathalie L. (Archambault) Costello. Raised in St. James Parish, he was a graduate of St. James High School, class of 1955, and furthered his education attending Merrimack College.Mr. Costello worked in retail sales and management throughout his long career. He began as a stock clerk at the J.J. Newbury Department Store, and then moved on to the Mal’s Department Store. For the next thirty years he was employed by the Rich’s Department Store Chain, and became Regional Manager of the entire Rich’s Corporation. His life time dream was that of owning his own department store, and in 1996 he bought property in downtown Ipswich and opened the Ben Franklin Department Store, becoming a major part of the revitalization of Ipswich, retiring in 2001. Never one to stand idle, he enjoyed tinkering with his woodworking , and loved walking through Appleton Farm in Ipswich, he looked forward to his trips to North Conway and Gorham, NH. An avid reader, he preferred a good mystery, and making puzzles. He dabbled in the stock market as a day trader. He kept a meticulous yard and garden and worked tirelessly through the autumn days.He was kind, generous, wise, and had an Irish wit. A devoted father, grandfather, and companion, he leaves his beloved partner of thirty-three years, Cynthia “Sal” Entwistle, of Hamilton, a son, Gerald A. Costello Jr, of Haverhill, two daughters, Debra L. Hiett and her husband, David, of Atkinson, NH, and Kathleen F. Costello, of Windham, NH, seven cherished grandchildren, Tara Scarduzio, Timothy and Derek Hiett, Peter, Kelly, and Jake Costello, and Taylor Proulx, two great grandchildren, Tessa Rose fried, and Connor Cento, a brother, Myles J. Costello and his wife, Carol, of North Andover, and a sister, Judith A. Costello, of West Roxbury , aunt, Helen Checovich, of Bradford,and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas A. Costello.Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Sunday, from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. Haverhill. Funeral services will begin on Monday morning at 10:00 AM from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 AM in All Saints Church, Bellevue Ave. Haverhill. Burial will follow in Hamilton Cemetery, Hamilton. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the St. Vincent DePaul Society 120 Bellevue Ave. Haverhill, MA 01832. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook, or www.comeaufuneral.com
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