Memories of Mr. Andrew G. Costen

In memory of

Mr. Andrew G. Costen

Watertown, MA, USA

December 10, 1960 - April 7, 2021

Dec 10, 1960 - Apr 7, 2021

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Lorena Valdez

Shared a heart

Steve and Allison Shippos

2010, Bow, NH, USA

Andrew and Meghan as pirates — with neighbors for 16 years

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Comments:

Steve and Allison Shippos

Hello! It is so hard to believe that Andrew has been gone for over 2 years already. We lived next door to Andrew for about 16 years before his move to Mass. He was around when both our daughters were born and absolutely enjoyed every minute with them. Our girls considered him to be like an Uncle. He would turn into the biggest kid with them watching movies in the loft, making popcorn,  ordering pizza and he really enjoyed winter with them when he would make igloos from the snow pile the plow would make in front of his house. My husband went fishing with him endlessly in just about every lake in NH. Good times and wonderful memories. We speak of him often and miss him terribly. Our oldest daughter turned 18 and just graduated high school (hard to believe, gulp!). We had a graduation party for her and was expecting Andrew to walk through the woods to come and enjoy with us, but that didn't happen. I wanted to share this picture that Meghan has up on her wall which depicts their relationship perfectly.  We will always think of you fondly, and will laugh with all the great stories. You sure are missed.

Hello! It is so hard to believe that Andrew has been gone for over 2 years already. We lived next door to... Read more Hello! It is so hard to believe that Andrew has been gone for over 2 years already. We lived next door to Andrew for about 16 ... Read more Hello! It is so hard to believe that Andrew has been... Read more

Karen Costen

Thank you for sharing this picture and the memory. Andrew spoke so fondly about the time he spent with the... Read more Thank you for sharing this picture and the memory. Andrew spoke so fondly about the time he spent with the girls. He really knew... Read more Thank you for sharing this picture and the memory. ... Read more

Deb Carr

Happy Birthday in Heaven my friend.

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Deb Carr

I still think of Andrew often and we share, as a team and his friends, many funny stories and memories he was a part of. Andrew was the best of the best, a great man and friend and we miss him alot.

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Karen Costen

Comments:

Karen Costen

Thanks for sharing that Deb. Today was a tough day...tougher than usual. It's nice to hear you're keeping... Read more Thanks for sharing that Deb. Today was a tough day...tougher than usual. It's nice to hear you're keeping his memory alive. Thanks for sharing that Deb. Today was a tough day...tougher... Read more

Tom Kaczmarek, BQ’85

I am deeply saddened to learn of Andy’s passing. I knew Andy from the FTAB where he was always an example of what it was to be an FTAB Bandsman and Aggie. My thoughts are with his family and many friends. Here

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Maria Niedt

I am so sorry for your loss Karen. God bless you and your family in this difficult time 🙏❤️.

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Karen Costen

Gina Warner

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Jane Lawson

I worked with Andrew for many years on the legacy Air Force Mission Planning System. I remember a time when we were at a test site and Andrew had to work in an area that was covered in black trash bags held together with duct tape. I remember the red neck jokes he would send us. I remember his bass fishing stories and his threat of condos being built at my favorite lake in Vermont. [He changed his mind when he learned that the lake had no bass.] I remember a great guy who always had a smile on his face. Oh yes, Andrew will be sorely missed.

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Karen Costen

Jim Williams

He’s always been “Andy” to me, ever since our days in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. We both played trumpet, a no one could squeal like Andy could. After the band, we were both 5th-year seniors and spent much of that “victory lap” year listening to Maynard Ferguson and Blood, Sweat & Tears albums outside. He was a good buddy.

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Karen Costen

Jerome Kelly

On behalf of his fish buddies from the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band class of ‘84,

Here

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Karen Costen

Jim Williams

Jeremy Costen

Andrew and I fishing

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Karen Costen

Eileen Greeley

William Darby

Deb & I remember Andrew as someone who always had a smile on his face. He was fun to be around. I loved to hear his fishing stories, and he always had some helpful tips.
It is profoundly sad to learn of Andrew's passing. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Karen.

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Karen Costen

Paula Basnett

Elaina Corcoran

When I reminisce about Andrew, my first thoughts are of his smile and his ability to listen with such genuine interest and care. I met Andrew almost 15 years ago at Dunkin Donuts in Townsend, MA. We scheduled a meeting to take care of the new hire paperwork to get him started with Solidus. All those years ago, Solidus had no official office, so we improvised. What usually takes about an hour to complete ended up lasting almost three hours with Andrew. I thought the manager of Dunkin’s was going to throw us out! This meeting was longer than expected, not because it was difficult but because our conversation started with work talk but turned to discussions about life, the world, and everything in between. Our conversation was filled with laughter and mutual respect – I knew then that Andrew would be an exceptional Solidus employee and someone I would call a friend. I will never forget our talks and all the laughter Andrew brought to every situation. I will miss him dearly. My deepest condolences to you, Karen, and Andrew’s entire family, and all of his friends; rest in sweet peace, dear Andrew.

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Eileen Greeley

Karen Costen

Maureen Flynn

2006, Lexington, Ma

Andrew was one of our earliest and longest employees and I can honestly say whenever we had an event or meeting it was always more fun when he was there! Every time I saw him I started smiling before even saying hello because I knew I was in for a joke or good anecdote. His unstoppable joy was impressive and contagious. Memories of Andrew will always make me smile and I will always try to bring a bit of his endless enthusiasm for life with me.

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Karen Costen

Ralph Rensing

2010, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA, USA

2010 brought changes that allowed Andrew and I work together. It started with hanging out at user group conference in Las Vegas. We then found ourselves being tapped to help improve tooling on the Sharepoint site that we system engineers were frequent users of. He and I were often in agreement on how things needed to be fixed and helped improve each other's suggestions. We also worked well with the team responsible for the site and they made our ideas functional. Andrew had style of engaging with people that was always positive and made the other person feel they contributed. He self-deprecating humor and personable style put people at ease and got them to want to work with us.

He and continued to work process issues and sought each other out to as sounding boards for new ideas. While it was not planned, we on more than one occasion found ourselves working as a tag team to convince others of our points. Always he was professional and engaged in the discussions with a positive attitude and a smile. His Texas charm was a good counterpoint to my German New Yorker and reminded me that there is more to life than work.

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Karen Costen

Maureen Flynn

Eileen Greeley

Ralph Rensing

2008, Hanscom AFB, MA, USA

I met Andrew not long starting in mission planning, where I found myself being regular participant in the legacy platform meetings. He would come into the meetings very professionally dressed and organized. He would rattle off status and other information for what seemed a half dozen aircraft platforms. He easily answered questions of the meeting chair. He provided insight along with a smile. As we were both from Solidus, we took opportunities to chat and compare notes on things before he had rush off to the next thing on his list. I enjoyed our conversations.

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Karen Costen

Maureen Flynn

Jan Denson

I will always think of Andrew in our home and on our deck in Bow for weekly BBQs and dinners. We were lucky enough to host his 50th birthday party! I know he loved Karen and his family with his whole heart and we were fortunate enough to meet his mother and some of his family. My fondest memories include bike riding along the beach while on vacation in Hilton Head Island in SC. Forever I will remember him on the bike w his legs outstretched and laughing like an 8 year old! He was also our ‘babysitter’ for our two large standard poodles for which he kept dog beds, bowls, treats and of course toys at his home. He played ball w Nicholas Poodle for many hours until Nick was exhausted. W COVID we really missed seeing him and Karen. We are stunned and saddened. Warmest condolences to Karen and family. ❤️

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Nick Gencarelle

Karen Costen

Jeff Dennis

Karen - I didn't know Andrew that well, but two memories stand out.
One was his total engagement in whatever he was doing. Whether he was talking or playing, he was in 100%. And, his unabashed love and commitment to you.
I am so sorry for this terrible loss.
Jeff

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Karen Costen

Mike 'Kuch' Kucera

I've had the pleasure of knowing and initially working with Andrew on SEIC RC-135 mission planning support for well over 12 years. I think Andrew even put in a good word for me 8 1/2 years ago helping lead to my hiring by Solidus, for that, I am forever grateful to him. He was always a great teammate and professional. For those that may not know, Andrew flew F-111's back in the 80's/90's, not sure of the exact timeframe. I also flew F-111's and EF-111's back then. Though our paths never crossed, we did share that common bond.

I was genuinely excited for him to begin his retired life with Karen something that was unfortunately cut way too short. May he rest in peace and may his friends and family find peace in all of this tragedy. He'll be remembered fondly by all who knew him. God bless.

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Paula Basnett

Eileen Greeley

Mike 'Kuch' Kucera

Karen Costen

Maureen Flynn

Eliza Greeley

2020, Pirates Cove Beach, Rye, NH

One of my favorite memories of Andrew was a day we got to spend on the beach with him, Karen, and my mom. It was after their engagement and he told the whole story of his preparation leading up to proposing. We talked about the infamous bottle, note, and her beautiful ring. All while they sat in a two seater beach chair with side table that he had purchased so they could have picnics together. They were both overflowing with love for each other. I hold this memory close to my heart knowing Karen and Andrew shared something truly special.

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Karen Costen

Rosa Greeley

Eileen Greeley

Toni Dineen

So sorry for your loss. Andrew was a good friend and coworker. He will be missed by so many. Blessings to Karen and your family. Toni Dineen. Florida.

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Paula Basnett

Karen Costen

Jane Sodders

I am so sorry for your loss! I haven't seen Andrew in years but we used to work together. I remember his bright smile, happy nature and being a friend to everyone. Truly some things make no sense. I often try to find solace in this poem:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

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Karen Costen

Molly Costen Nero

Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, USA

Andrew was always ready to be a kid! We had such fun sledding that day!

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Karen Costen

Dobs Stevenson

So sorry to hear about this! I know he was looking forward to retirement and spending more time with his bride and on the water fishing! Working with him was a pleasure and he was definitely a team player with progress over process mindset! He will be sorely missed, and Karen you are in our thoughts and prayers!

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Karen Costen

Stevn Gencarelle

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.
Our hearts are with you niece
Love Steven and Cindy

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