The military community in WindsorEssex is mourning after the passing of local veteran Larry Costello.
The military community in Windsor-Essex is mourning after the passing of local veteran Larry Costello.
He passed away last night.
Past-Chair of the Spitfire Memorial Committee Michael Beale has known Costello for nearly 60 years and says he wished he had meet him earlier.
Beale says Costello's passing leaves a whole in the community.
"It's difficult to say goodbye, but it was his time. Guys like Larry should live forever," says Beale.
Costello was still active even at 91 years old, heading up to London this past July to the Veterans Affairs Office as part of the effort to have the Windsor branch re-opened. He was still fiery in his defence of veterans.
"Anybody that dons on a uniform to fight for the freedom of their country, they should be honoured," Costello told AM800 News. "When they need help, hat's when they should be looked after."
Beale says Larry's impact on the community won't be forgotten.
"Larry was one of those guys — actually the guy. He was the guy that kept Windsor's Remembrance Day ceremony alive," says Beale. "Less than maybe 30 people were attending the ceremony at that time; Larry was there every year."
Beale says he'll remember his friend's smile.
"That willing smile. That willingness to sit down and it didn't matter who you were or what you represented or what your title was, Larry just had that endearing quality; just made it easy to like him," says Beale. "He's a character. One of the mainstays of the veteran community here in Windsor."
Costello joined the Royal Canadian Navy at just 16 years old and served in World War II, including during the D-Day battle.
He was awarded custody of the Canadian Flag flown over the Peace Tower in Ottawa for Remembrance Day in 2003. Costello also met the Queen at a Battle Of The Atlantic commemorative event.