Obituary for Ralph Rudolph "Rudy" Costanzo
Ralph R. (Rudy) Costanzo left this life on the morning of 13 December, 2022.
Born on 19 March, 1930 in New York City, and in the absence of his mother who was hospitalized most of her adult life, Rudy was raised in a loving family environment and cared for by his father Alex, older sisters Tessie and Evelyn, and two brothers, Joseph and Silvio -- both survivors of World War II service. As a young man, Rudy excelled in all sports and played baseball for a brief period in the New York Giants farm league. A six-month bout with Rheumatic fever resulted in a heart murmur and ended his semi-professional playing days. It also led to an early discharge from the Army, when his heart condition was discovered. Returning to NYC, he was initially employed in his father's building company before landing a more lucrative management job in White Castle Inc. It was here that he met his future wife of 68 years, Jean Costanzo (nee Little). Within three years, they were the happy parents of two children: Ralph Robert and Jean Marie, and Nancy Lynn would arrive in another seven years. Rudy and Jean would then make the most difficult choice in their young lives, deciding to leave NYC and the comfortable life that White Castle employment provided, and raise their children instead in the country environs of Southern New Jersey. It was a selfless choice that provided the best possible future for all three children. Finding employment in National Gypsum and later at Hooker Chemical, Rudy and Jean moved into a brand new home in Levittown (later renamed Willingboro), New Jersey. Willingboro gave something special to each member of the family. Jean loved working in the school system's lunch kitchen and serving "her kids." Rudy found an outlet for his love of sports, becoming a life-long golf enthusiast and playing as hard as ever in the local softball leagues. And his children had the finest education and wonderful opportunities of every kind. Rudy especially loved watching his children in sporting events and exploring other activities including fishing, bowling, and model airplane flying. As his children finished their schooling and began their own lives away from Willingboro, Rudy and Jean moved to Mount Laurel, N.J. and a quiet life in a beautiful retirement community. Both maintained very close relationships with their children, and were especially happy to welcome spouses and grandchildren to the family.
Rudy is survived by his wife, Jean, son Ralph (Ann), daughters Jean (Sam) Diblin, and Nancy (Dawn), grandchildren, John (Brittnie) Costanzo, Alex Costanzo, Tony Costanzo, Jackie Diblin, and Sammy Diblin, and great granddaughters Zoe and Ava Costanzo.
A private service for the family will be held before interment at BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Hanover Township, Burlington County, N.J., in the new year.
Born on 19 March, 1930 in New York City, and in the absence of his mother who was hospitalized most of her adult life, Rudy was raised in a loving family environment and cared for by his father Alex, older sisters Tessie and Evelyn, and two brothers, Joseph and Silvio -- both survivors of World War II service. As a young man, Rudy excelled in all sports and played baseball for a brief period in the New York Giants farm league. A six-month bout with Rheumatic fever resulted in a heart murmur and ended his semi-professional playing days. It also led to an early discharge from the Army, when his heart condition was discovered. Returning to NYC, he was initially employed in his father's building company before landing a more lucrative management job in White Castle Inc. It was here that he met his future wife of 68 years, Jean Costanzo (nee Little). Within three years, they were the happy parents of two children: Ralph Robert and Jean Marie, and Nancy Lynn would arrive in another seven years. Rudy and Jean would then make the most difficult choice in their young lives, deciding to leave NYC and the comfortable life that White Castle employment provided, and raise their children instead in the country environs of Southern New Jersey. It was a selfless choice that provided the best possible future for all three children. Finding employment in National Gypsum and later at Hooker Chemical, Rudy and Jean moved into a brand new home in Levittown (later renamed Willingboro), New Jersey. Willingboro gave something special to each member of the family. Jean loved working in the school system's lunch kitchen and serving "her kids." Rudy found an outlet for his love of sports, becoming a life-long golf enthusiast and playing as hard as ever in the local softball leagues. And his children had the finest education and wonderful opportunities of every kind. Rudy especially loved watching his children in sporting events and exploring other activities including fishing, bowling, and model airplane flying. As his children finished their schooling and began their own lives away from Willingboro, Rudy and Jean moved to Mount Laurel, N.J. and a quiet life in a beautiful retirement community. Both maintained very close relationships with their children, and were especially happy to welcome spouses and grandchildren to the family.
Rudy is survived by his wife, Jean, son Ralph (Ann), daughters Jean (Sam) Diblin, and Nancy (Dawn), grandchildren, John (Brittnie) Costanzo, Alex Costanzo, Tony Costanzo, Jackie Diblin, and Sammy Diblin, and great granddaughters Zoe and Ava Costanzo.
A private service for the family will be held before interment at BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Hanover Township, Burlington County, N.J., in the new year.