Benjamin A. Costello

KILL BUCK — Benjamin A. Costello, 87, of Carrollton Road, Kill Buck, died Saturday (Aug. 30, 2025) at Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, following a long illness.

Born Sept. 5, 1937, in Wellsville, he was the son of the late Raymond and Vera Abbey Costello. He was married April 30, 1960, in the St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Carrollton, to the former Phyllis Pascarella, who predeceased him in 2012.

He was a graduate of Randolph High School, Class of 1957.

Mr. Costello was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving on the Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, LA as a B-52 mechanic.

He had been employed with the former Dresser Industries of Olean, working as a draftsman for over 35 years, retiring in 1999.

He was involved with the Scouts and enjoyed the outdoors, taking care of his yard and tinkering around the house, camping and canoeing. As a draftsman, he was constantly sketching.

He enjoyed solving problems, building things, including his own house and working on cars. He had fond memories of being around family and chocolate chip cookies.

Surviving are a daughter, Lisa (Ed) Cockburn of Angola; four sons, Karl (Larry Langham) Costello of Jamestown, Kevin (Ann) Costello of Naperville, Ill., Michael Costello of Carrollton and Christopher Costello of Carrollton; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, William Costello; and a sister, Janice Yaworsky.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (Sept. 5, 2025) at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River St., Salamanca. Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday (Sept. 6, 2025) at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St., Jamestown, with Rev. Luke Foder officiating. Graveside military services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday (Sept. 8, 2025) at Calvary Cemetery, and will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.