Edward L. Costa, Jr., affectionately known as O.D. and Pop, passed away peacefully on the morning of July 14, 2026, beside his beloved wife of forty-nine years, Trudi Miller Costa, after bravely facing a decade-long battle with Parkinson’s. 

Ed’s seventy-four faithful years on Earth began in Fort Devens, MA, on September 22, 1951. He was the first child of Edward L. Costa, Sr., and Dorothy Beatrice Coller and a loving older brother to sisters Dorothy Ann and Stella Maria. Born into a military family, Ed’s childhood was marked by frequent moves that saw him living everywhere from Massachusetts to France to New Jersey to Germany. Following his graduation from Pemberton Township High School in 1969, the next ten years of Ed’s life were characterized by time spent serving in the Army National Guard. He married the love of his life, Trudi, on October 9, 1976. 

After spending so much of his youth moving, Ed strongly valued the concept of a steady forever home. He and Trudi eventually settled down in New Hampshire and built a wonderful life together. The 1980s and 1990s brought one of Ed's greatest joys - raising his children Adam and Mary. Of all the roles Ed held throughout his life, being a father came to him the most naturally. He was steadfast in his support, unwavering in his love, and deeply encouraging of their education. 

While also raising his kids, Ed worked in a variety of corporate roles at Digital Equipment Corporation, Compaq, and eventually Hewlett-Packard. His drive for further education inspired him to earn an MBA in Leadership through Franklin Pierce University. Ed also developed a calling for ministry with the incarcerated through Kairos Prison Ministry. He was a regular fixture of support and spiritual guidance at the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord, NH, where he routinely served as a volunteer for over 25 years. 

Ed’s decades of ministry to the incarcerated deepened an already steadfast faith. He completed a Master of Divinity degree in Chaplaincy through Liberty University and was ordained in 2018. This led to roles as a chaplain at New Hampshire State Hospital and later St. Joseph’s Hospital. Ed found some of his greatest joy and purpose in his later years with this service, and especially in becoming "Pop" to his grandson, Nolan. 

In addition to his extraordinary devotion to his faith and family, Ed was a known enthusiast of classic cars, especially the restoration of his 1966 Ford Mustang. He loved animals, and over the years could be seen frequently walking his two dogs, Dusty and Suzy. He loved to identify birds in his backyard and never let the birdfeeder go empty. Ed also loved Motown music, local diners, old Western movies, and WWII history. Beyond all of this though, Ed will be remembered for his calm and steady presence, playful sense of humor, gentle disposition, and selfless spirit. He could carry on a conversation with anyone. He met others with deep empathy and quiet compassion and was a man of unwavering integrity who always tried to do what was right. 

Ed is survived by his wife, Trudi of Milford, NH; his son Adam Costa, daughter-in-law Lauren, and grandson Nolan of Beverly, MA; his daughter Mary Costa and son-in-law Mike Marsoupian of Burbank, CA; his two sisters, Dorothy Ann Kingston of Granger, IN, and Stella Maria Lareau and her husband Michael of Boscawen, NH; and his stepmother, Patricia Dorothea Costa of Dracut, MA. Though admittedly never much of a cook, Ed’s famed breakfast sandwiches remain unparalleled in their quality and shall live on in perpetuity. 

A Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 3:00pm at Messiah Lutheran Church, 303 State Rt. 101, Amherst, NH. A meal will follow the service. 

Donations may be made in his memory to either the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or SHARE Outreach at one of the links below: ● Michael J. Fox Foundation Here ● SHARE Outreach Here “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded.”