Dennis Patrick Costellese, born May 5, 1948, in Providence, Rhode Island, was the beloved son of Pasquale Costellese and Chorine (Handfield) Costellese, the proud first grandson of Lawrence J. Costellese and Elvira (Picozzi) Costellese and the beloved husband of Fifty-five years to Linda Evelyn (Grace) Costelllese. Dennis passed in January after a long battle against Multiple System Atrophy which he fought hard with failure to survive.

Dennis graduated from Johnston High School in June 1966. Shortly after graduation, he boarded what would be the first of many airplane rides across the country, beginning a lifelong connection to aviation and service. At Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Dennis enlisted in the United States Air Force, completing basic training in just six weeks. Though the routine was demanding, he thrived.

Back home in Rhode Island, Dennis was notified that he would be assigned to the 143rd Rhode Island Air National Guard (RIANG), where he proudly served from 1966 until he retired in May 1998. Dennis excelled in the RIANG earning the Outstanding Achievement Commendation medal and the position of Technical Sergeant in 1980. He attended Non Commissioned Officers Academy at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Alcoa, Tennessee. He received the award of Sustained Superior Performance as Production Controller GS-09 in 1981 and was certified with a Manager and Supervisor degree in 1983. He loved his work and was highly respected for his skill and dedication.

Dennis was a key resource in the 143rd Airlift Wing. He worked on an impressive array of aircraft, including the Grumman HU-16 Albatross "Seaplane"; Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar; Douglas C-54 Skymaster; C-130 Hercules; T-29 Flying Classroom; De Havilland U-6A Beaver; and the Helio U-10D Super Courier. In 1976, when the 143rd received its first C-130 aircraft, Dennis had the honor of being named the FIRST RHODE ISLAND CREW CHIEF on tail number 56-478, a distinction he held with great pride.

Dennis participated in numerous missions and deployments with the 143rd, including operations in South America, Nicaragua, and Panama. He was also deeply involved in humanitarian missions, including Operation Toy Lift, which delivered toys to the children of Grenada following the U.S. intervention in 1986.

During Operation Desert Storm, Dennis and the 143rd Tactical Squad were among the first Air National Guard units activated to support the U.S. Air Force. While deployed, Dennis participated in frequent missions into Kuwait, working in the dangerous conditions of the burn pits, where thick smoke filled the air and posed serious risks to health and safety. He was awarded the Commendation Medal "First Oak Leaf Cluster" 1ST OLC for his contribution in support of Operation Desert Storm between 9/1990 and 06/1991.

Dennis was pitcher for the 143rd RIANG softball team which won the Rhode Island playoffs. The team with Dennis went on to place third in the Regionals in Michigan.

Dennis met his wife, Linda, at a gathering of St. Teresa High School students. The event, held at the Valley Steak House in West Warwick, was one he almost didn't attend until Linda's classmate, Rosemary Miganelli of Rosa Mia Pizzeria convinced him to go. Dennis sat next to Linda and they immediately hit it off when he asked if he could peel her sunburn. Five years later at St Michael's Church in Georgiaville, RI on May 8, 1971, Dennis married the love of his life, Linda Evelyn (Grace) Costellese.

Together, they built an incredible life defined by hard work, love, and adventure. When Dennis and Linda purchased a studded home in Scituate, RI and Dennis used his natural carpentry skills to take the house from studs to a completed home. Later in life, Dennis and Linda sold their home and fulfilled their dream of retiring to Florida. Together, they embraced retirement, shared countless journeys, creating memories filled with laughter, curiosity and deep companionship. They embraced life fully and found great joy traveling extensively and cruising all over the world, side by side. They loved being at sea especially on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Disney Cruise Line. They were charter members of the RCL Century Club (later renamed Crown and Anchor Society) and invited to the Miami home of the Chairman Richard Fain of RCL. The forever friends traveled on the trip-of-a-lifetime 46 day cruise around Cape Horn and back up the South American Coast to Los Angeles an astounding 14,716 miles. They traveled the entire Blue Ridge Parkway, camping along the way and went to Davy Crockett's house.

Dennis and Linda were proud to visit every both the old AND new state capitols in each of the 50 United States in just 4.5 years. They made it a point to tour each state capitol building internally before they checked it off the list. Juneau and Honolulu were accomplished on cruises, and at the LAST capitol building in Denver, CO they were interviewed and featured in the Denver Gazette for their accomplishment.

In the 1970's Dennis and his brother Larry retrofitted a huge panel van with all of the auto repair equipment to create a Mobile Car Repair service called "Rolling Car Tunes". The ahead-of-its-time idea was to tune up and repair people's cars wherever they were. The motto "Don't come to us, we'll come to you!" was a fun and successful concept during the 1973 oil crisis.

Dennis was a self-taught carpenter and home renovator building decks, finishing homes, and creating custom rooms and shelving. He created the business DPC (Distinctive Paneling and Carpeting) Custom Woodworking. As a mentor and leader he leveraged his woodworking and management skills to lead construction projects and, at the same time, teach family, friends & nephews, the ins and outs of construction tasks.

Dennis was a devoted son, a loving brother and brother-in-law, and a deeply cherished uncle to his many nieces and nephews, each of whom he loved as if they were his own. He took great pride in his family and shared a special bond with each of them. He is survived by his wife, Linda and his brother, Lawrence J. Costellese and longtime partner MaryAnne D'Alessandro of Johnston. He is the cherished Uncle of Lori Ann (Jason) Bailey of Deland, Florida; Great Uncle to Ty Jacob Bailey and Elijah Jayden Bailey; cousin June (the late Raymond) Albanese; Jamison Albanese; Raymond (Dawn) Albanese; Cheryl (Kyle) Naylor; and Jenna (David) Farina.

Dennis was a treasured brother-in-law, mentor, teacher, father figure, technical expert and friend to Kathleen A. (Stephen) Ricard; Patricia J. (Robert) Normandin; David J. Grace; Gina Grace; and Jodi (Bob) Dugas. He was a loving uncle to many including Joseph T. Pettie; Richard T. (Faye Ofiana) Pettie; the late Stephen R. (Kristen) Ricard II; Kristina L. Ricard and her partner Darjusz A. Wiaderski; Lindsay M. Grace; Sara L. (Grace) Balcerzak; Julie A. Grace; Danielle M. (Marshall Stratton) Grace; Bethany J. (Thomas) Votta and a loving great uncle to Nicholas S. Ricard; Mikayla K. Ricard; Mila G. Wiaderski; Mailynn J. Pettie; Logan P. Pettie; Taylor G. Pettie; Nova L. Balcerzak; and Hunter S. Stratton. Dennis was loved by June S., Daniel M., Stefan B Couture; Meghan B. (Brendan) McLean Benson; Robert (Alicia) Monnes; Jonah and Avery Monnes; Celine (Michael) Goodson; Michael (Andrea) Goodson; Michael & Benjamin Goodson; and Lindsay and Ryan Pallotta; Linda A.H. Gousie; Dana (Sara) Gousie; Jeffrey Gousie.

He was predeceased by his parents, and sibling-in-law(s) Lawrence A. Grace IV; Steven M. Grace; and Cynthia (Frederick) Costellese; as well as a great niece, Ariana Danielle Grace.

Dennis will be remembered for his devoted love for Linda, his faithful service to his country, his craftsmanship, and his adventurous spirit. His legacy of integrity, dedication, and love lives on in all who knew him. Contributions in his name can be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Memorial contributions may be made to the children's program at St Michael's Catholic Church 78 Farnum Pike Gerogiaville, RI.