A funeral service was held on Tuesday at Turlock Funeral Home for Lawrence Anthony Costa, 85, of Turlock. The former Ceres resident died Sept. 26, 2011 at his home after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Interment was at Turlock Memorial Park.
Born June 29, 1926 in San Jose to Antone and Alice Costa, Lawrence moved to Ceres when he was three. He attended elementary and high school. After graduating from Ceres high School in 1944, Lawrence enlisted in the Navy and served for two years during World War II. He was a radio man, 3rd class, and served on three different ships - the USS Snider (DE 745), the USS PGM 31 and the US Sitko Bay (CVE-86). He served 17 months overseas and fought in two battles. Upon returning home in 1946, Lawrence went to work for the Tillie Lewis Cannery in Modesto. Mr. Costa held several other jobs throughout his life, including ranch work, trenching and land leveling, driving a milk truck and working on the Southern Pacific Railroad. He married Ila May Francis on August 28, 1950 and made their home in Turlock. After suffering a stroke in 1967, he bought a fishing boat and began to spend time in Santa Cruz where he caught many sharks and other fish. Lawrence was a proud veteran and was a charter member of the local VFW Post 5059 in Turlock. He enjoyed RV traveling, fishing, attending swap meets, gardening, building things, including a vacation home in Twain Harte, telling stories, spending time with his family and friends. Lawrence enjoyed square dancing with the West Side Wagon Wheelers and the Turlock Steppin Pards. They also round danced with the Penny Arcades and kept this up until 1996, when a serious car accident impeded his ability.
He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Ila Costa of Turlock; his chidren, Dennis Costa of Modesto, Kathy Gore of Manteca, Larry Costa of Modesto, and Marie Moitoso of Turlock; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Remembrances may be sent to Hospice of Emanuel, 825 Delbon Ave., Turlock, CA 95382.
-Ceres Courier/ October 5, 2011
Interment was at Turlock Memorial Park.
Born June 29, 1926 in San Jose to Antone and Alice Costa, Lawrence moved to Ceres when he was three. He attended elementary and high school. After graduating from Ceres high School in 1944, Lawrence enlisted in the Navy and served for two years during World War II. He was a radio man, 3rd class, and served on three different ships - the USS Snider (DE 745), the USS PGM 31 and the US Sitko Bay (CVE-86). He served 17 months overseas and fought in two battles. Upon returning home in 1946, Lawrence went to work for the Tillie Lewis Cannery in Modesto. Mr. Costa held several other jobs throughout his life, including ranch work, trenching and land leveling, driving a milk truck and working on the Southern Pacific Railroad. He married Ila May Francis on August 28, 1950 and made their home in Turlock. After suffering a stroke in 1967, he bought a fishing boat and began to spend time in Santa Cruz where he caught many sharks and other fish. Lawrence was a proud veteran and was a charter member of the local VFW Post 5059 in Turlock. He enjoyed RV traveling, fishing, attending swap meets, gardening, building things, including a vacation home in Twain Harte, telling stories, spending time with his family and friends. Lawrence enjoyed square dancing with the West Side Wagon Wheelers and the Turlock Steppin Pards. They also round danced with the Penny Arcades and kept this up until 1996, when a serious car accident impeded his ability.
He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Ila Costa of Turlock; his chidren, Dennis Costa of Modesto, Kathy Gore of Manteca, Larry Costa of Modesto, and Marie Moitoso of Turlock; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Remembrances may be sent to Hospice of Emanuel, 825 Delbon Ave., Turlock, CA 95382.
-Ceres Courier/ October 5, 2011
