Obituaries 06-11-2020

Peter Costa

Prime Mover in Starting the Regatta to Support the Make a Wish Foundation

It is with much sadness that I inform you of the passing of CPYC Life Member Peter Costa.  A lifelong Winthrop resident, Peter loved the ocean and loved to sail.

 Peter proudly and successfully campaigned many a boat.  The Hustler, 210, Snipe, Laser, Rhodes 19 and Star.  In fact, Peter bought and sailed the first Laser at CPYC many years ago.  He used to say that a brand new laser was $800.00! Peter sailed the Laser from his backyard on Johnson Ave.  He is credited as being the “founder of frostbiting!”

A tinkerer at heart, Peter is credited with having over 50 patents.  Some from his days at Polaroid but most while he was a principal of Owl Engineering.  The Trocar, an instrument widely used today in non-invasive surgery, is one of Peter’s patents.

Twenty-five years ago, Peter wanted to make a difference in the world by using his love of sailing to benefit others.  Out of this desire, The Regatta to support the Make A Wish Foundation was started.  Always humble, Peter never wanted credit for this.  Fortunately, last year on the 25th anniversary of the event Peter was recognized by Make A Wish.

John Wooden, the famous UCLA Basketball coach said: â€œBe more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are… the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”  This could have been said to describe Peter. He will be missed by many.

Peter is survived by his wife, Donna Hanson, daughter, Jessica Costa and Jeremy Davidson, aunt, Girlie Kennedy, mother in law, Rose Hanson, his sisters in law, Nina and Sara Costa, his brothers and sisters in law: Diane Hanson, Paul and Nancy Hanson, Peter and Linda Hanson, Steve and Elaine Wamboldt, Dr. Ed and Joanne Zimski; nieces and nephews, Paula and Greg DiPaolo, Dan and Lyn Murphy, Donna Caouette , Stephen DiGregorio, Jess Lees, Erika, Karina and Kyle Hanson, Meaghan and Steve Wamboldt, Peter, Paul and CJ Hanson, and countless friends and business partner Chris Holmes at Owl Engineering, Polaroid and his sailing community, with special thanks to Joe Zambella and Gary MacDonald. He is finally reunited with his brothers, Paul and Robert Costa, and his parents, Vinny and Theresa Costa and his best friends, Andy Hansen and former business partner, Bill Holmes.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.To sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.

Arrangements under the direction of the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop.

Richard Christopher

Grand Knight, 60-Year Member of the Winthrop Knights of Columbus, Longtime Member of the Winthrop Yacht Club

Richard F. Christopher of Somerville passed away at his home on May 22.  He was 77 years old.  

Born in Boston, the beloved son of the late Mary (Flak) and Domenic Christopher, he was a longtime resident of both Somerville and Naples, FLA.  Prior to his retirement, he was a 35 year employee/manager for Star Market.  Grand Knight and 60 year member of the Winthrop Knights of Columbus, longtime member of the Winthrop Yacht Club and proudly served in the National Guard.

He was the devoted husband of Terry (Pescatore) and the loving father of Lisa Duffy and her husband, Paul of Wilmington and Richard C. Christopher and his wife ,Sandra of Andover; dear brother of the late Gerald Christopher and his wife, Alice of East Boston, Stephen Christopher and his wife, Brenda of Winthrop, John Christopher of Revere and the late Dorothy Fournier and Robert Christopher; loving Papa to Paul, Jacquelyn and Conlin Duffy and to Nicholas and Owen Christopher.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home 147 Winthrop St., Winthrop on Friday, June 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Saturday, June 13 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome. Committal will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for Blindness at www.fightingblindness.org.

To sign the online guestbook go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.