Nicholas F. Costrino passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, August 7, 2022, after a brief battle with coronary artery disease.  He was 81. 

Nick was born on December 30, 1940, in Fall River, MA.  He was the only child of Dr. John J. Costrino and Marion E. Knapp.  Nick is preceded in death by his parents.  

After moving to St. Louis in 1951, Nick attended Mount Providence Boarding School for Boys to finish his elementary schooling.  He graduated from St. Louis University High School in 1959.  Nick attended Quincy University in Quincy, IL, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1965.  He received a Master of Education from University of Missouri – St. Louis in 1971.        

Nick’s parents loved the outdoors and they passed that love on to him.  In Fall River, MA, they spent their summers at their vacation home on the beach.  When the family moved to St. Louis in 1951, his parents purchased an 80-acre farm with a cabin, 13-acre lake and a 6-acre pond in Warrenton, MO.  They spent countless weekends at the lake where they entertained family and friends.  It is here that Nick learned to hunt and shoot and fish.  

Nick raised four beautiful children and passed on his love of the outdoors to them.  They, too, spent countless weekends at the family farm, where Nick taught them to hunt, shoot and fish, cut grass, drive tractors, use tools, any many other valuable skills for life.  

After retiring, Nick enjoyed staying busy.  He enjoyed being around others and meeting new people.  He found a small church community where he enjoyed friendships with other members of the church.  When he moved into his retirement home, he easily made friends with the community there.  He was kind and friendly, open minded and accepting of everyone with no judgements.  He loved being around his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed sharing his stories and his children loved hearing them.  Nick appreciated the gifts he had and he loved sharing those gifts with others.  He made a conscious choice to find happiness and joy in every moment life had to offer.  

Nick is survived by his four children: John (Debra), Christina (Eric), Sarah (Jeff), and Michael; seven grandchildren:  Alexandria, Anthony, Nicholas, Catherine, Joseph, Ashley and Madison; and three great grandchildren:  Keara, Shannon and Reece. He will be deeply missed but will live on in his beautiful children.  His bravery for always standing in his truth, spreading his message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact on those who knew him.

The family will hold a memorial service on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 1:00PM, at St. Martin United Church of Christ, 3229 High Ridge Blvd., High Ridge, MO, 63049.  A luncheon at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Martin United Church of Christ, where Nick was a beloved member of their small community.  His family would like to help the church continue to operate and be a vibrant part of their High Ridge community.