Joseph L. DeCosta, Jr.

NASHUA- Joseph L. DeCosta Jr, 92, died peacefully Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He is the beloved husband of Joyce L. (Gilbar) DeCosta who he shared 46 years of marriage. Joseph was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on June 26, 1926 and was the son of the late Joseph L. DeCosta Sr. and Mary (Andrade) DeCosta.

Mr. DeCosta was the President and CEO of Joseph DeCosta, Inc. of Woburn, MA a family sausage manufacturing business which was started in 1928 by his parents in East Cambridge, MA.  Joseph proudly served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corp. He returned home to carry on and ultimately lead the business.  He employed hundreds in the greater Boston area and was a business visionary, still reading the Wall Street Journal every day. He was most happy flying his Beechcraft Bonanza A-36 airplane with his beloved wife.   Most recently he was a resident of Gatewood Manor in Nashua, NH where he enjoyed chatting with friends and spending time with his sons and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Joyce, he is survived by his children Donna T. Bailey of Casa Grande, AZ, Gerard J. DeCosta Sr. and his wife Julie DeCosta of Litchfield, NH, John P. DeCosta of Derry, NH, Glenn J. DeCosta and his wife Michelle DeCosta of Lancaster, MA, Dennis T. DeCosta and his wife Nancy DeCosta of White Bear Lake, MN, Vickie L. Panetta and her husband Frank Panetta of Lincoln, MA, Celeste Wunder and her husband Robert Wunder of Dover, NH, Victoria DeCosta of Florida, Ronald DeCosta of Maynard, MA and the late Faithanne DeCosta and Daniel DeCosta. Devoted grandfather of 17 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 10 am at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 777 West Hollis Street, Nashua, NH.  Family and friends are invited to visitation at Anctil-Rochette & Sons Funeral Home on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 5 pm  - 8 pm. Interment in the DeCosta family plot, Cambridge Cemetery, MA with military honors.

WWII U.S. Army Air Corp Veteran. Memorial donations in Joseph’s name may be made to the American Heart Association 300 5th Ave. Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451.

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