William Costigan

William J. 'Bill' Costigan, Sr., 97, passed away on December 10, 2018 surrounded by family. Bill was born in Akron on March 19, 1921 to the late Ruth McCarthy Costigan & William J. Costigan. He was preceded in death by wives Mary Jo Costigan (Brady) and Ann Butell Costigan, brother-in-law Col. Ralph Stiles, and daughter-in-law Linda Costigan. Bill is survived by sister Ruth Stiles of Williamsburg, Va., son Bill (Barbara), daughter Pat, son Dick of Ft. Collins, Co., son Jim (Peggy) of Fairlawn, son Jerry (Janis) of Naples, Fl.; step son Chuck (Ruth) Joslyn, step daughters Judy Nickelsen and Jill (Walter) Willis; ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, 13 step-grandchildren and 16 step great grandchildren. Bill attended Buchtel High School and graduated from St. Vincent High School. He served as a sergeant with the USMC 5th Amphibious Corp in the Pacific from 1942 to 1946. Bill came back from the service to restart his career at National Office Supply. The business established in 1881, changed its name in 1980 to Costigan's Office Supply and continued to grow under his leadership into one of the largest in the state. He served as Chairman until 1996 when the company was sold to U. S. Office Products. Bill was most proud to be the first local employer to hire minorities as drivers and always respected the person for who he was and not what he was. He took pride in being an Akronite and the business community he serviced. Bill was a charter member of St. Sebastian Church. He was the recipient of the Father Mahar Award for his service to St. Vincent - St. Mary High School. Bill worked tirelessly to help enhance the West Market Street corridor to downtown Akron. He organized other local business owners in the area to band together to clean up the neighborhood and to provide funds to landscape and beautify the street. His efforts were the formation of the West Akron Beautification Organization. Bill was a very principled person who followed those values throughout his life. A devoted family man, he took great pride in any of his children and grandchildren's achievements and successes, often offering his words of wisdom and encouragement along the way. He found great joy in seeing his family grow with the great grandchildren who would amuse him for hours on end. He was a proud member of Blue Coats, West Akron Beautification Organization, and very active with various groups working on priorities around the city. He was an avid sports fan with a true passion for baseball his entire life. He played for the Highland Merchants, a local traveling team prior to joining the service. His passion for baseball and his love of his high school alma mater came together with the creation of the Bill Costigan Baseball Training Center on the campus of St. Vincent St. Mary High School. Like many, he was a diehard Tribe fan and watched every game for several years till the end of his life. Go Tribe! We would like to give a special thanks to Lynn Yanko and the caring women who worked with her and attended to dad at the end of his life as well as the staff at St. Edward's Village and VNS Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent Church. Interment to follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at Hummel Funeral Home 500 E. Exchange St. AKRON on Friday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the St. Vincent- St. Mary High School Foundation.