Donald Paul Costello

Donald Paul Costello died at his home in the North Shore Triangle after having Christmas dinner with his South Bend family members on December 26, 2024. He was 93 years old. 

Donald was born in Little Flower Parish on the South Side of Chicago on August 4, 1931. He attended De LaSalle High School and went on to be the first member of his family to advance to higher education when he enrolled at DePaul University in 1949. During his sophomore year at DePaul he joined the Navy. He trained at Great Lakes Naval Base, but when he learned that he would be stationed in Washington DC for his deployment, Don asked the most wonderful woman in the world, Christine Kane, to accept his hand in marriage. They wed on March 20, 1952. Two years and one baby later, when the Korean Conflict ended, Don returned to his undergraduate studies at DePaul. With a growing family, Don went on to pursue his PhD in English at the University of Chicago where he became a noted Woodrow Wilson Graduate Fellow and Danforth Fellow as well as a Fulbright Scholar. These accolades attracted the attention of the University of Notre Dame, which recruited Don in 1960 to help inaugurate its campaign to bring professors and their families to the university. 

Don had started writing critical reviews of the arts for his high school and college newspapers, and continued as a regular writer for Commonweal and Today. He found great success with his article, "The Language of The Catcher in the Rye," which became a standard reference still cited today. His PhD dissertation, “The Serpent's Eye: Shaw and the Cinema,” became an admired publication that critically linked George Bernard Shaw's dramas to their corresponding films. Donald amassed a huge resume of published essays in the field of literary criticism, and was on the cutting edge of creating the discipline of academic film criticism. His book “Fellini’s Road” garnered the attention of Fellini himself, who invited Don to Cincetta in Rome to interview Il Maestro, which was a highlight of his life.

 Professor Costello was both a dynamic teacher and a compassionate administrator. Don often inaugurated groups of “Super Freshmen” that he would introduce to the Collegiate Seminar Program and the Student/Faculty Film Society, both which he helped to create. He won the accolades of the University when he was awarded the Frank O’Malley undergraduate teaching award. He was the Director of the 1973-75 Innsbruck Program and the English Department's 1984 London Program. Don was one of the few professors ever to chair three departments at Notre Dame: not only the Communication Arts Program, but also the English Department and the American Studies Department.

 Don and Christine also excelled in the art of entertaining. It was not uncommon at Notre Dame’s annual “Sophomore Literary Festival” and other university events to see some of the country’s top authors, artists, and dignitaries sitting around the Costello’s home fireplace with students to discuss matters of art. And often classes would be held at Don’s Wakewa Avenue home to watch and assess films and discuss perspectives – events that became legendary for generations of students. And “Doc Cos,” as his students affectionately named him, often hosted graduates returning to South Bend as they recalled their time learning among each other. 

Doc Cos was avid about the arts and cultures of the world and traveled often. Don took his family all over the country during summers while working at other universities, and he moved the whole family to Europe for two years. Throughout his exploration, he would always look for new and creative ways to figure out life. After losing Christine and his eyesight in the same year, his focus became adapting and adjusting to life changes as learning challenges. 

Don and Christine enjoyed the classical arts their whole lives. They faithfully attended the Stratford on Avon and Shaw Festivals for decades, and held season tickets to the Chicago Lyric Opera, switching to Met simulcasts at the Browning Cinema when he couldn't make the winter drive anymore. They were also subscribers to the South Bend Symphony, and Don hosted a radio show on classical music at WSND in his retirement. Don heartily enjoyed the Traditional Irish Sessions at Fiddler's Hearth. Those Monday-nights brought him “home” to Ireland in recent years! 

After retirement, Don and Christine focused on sharing their love of arts with children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. They continually hosted and attended celebrations to revel in family. Throughout his life, Don loved his family, his students, and his colleagues. 

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Marie (Huntcha) and Benjamin Costello; his sister, Patricia (Robert) O’Donnell; his daughter-in-law, Lois Vanderhoof; and his beloved wife of 66 years, Christine. 

He is survived by his children: Christopher (Regina Westemeier), Maria O’Connor, Monica (John) Dilenschneider, Paul, Matthew (Anne), and John (Leigh Ann Marchant). His legacy includes 21 adoring grandchildren; and 10 (soon to be 12) great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at the McGann Hay, University Chapel, 2313 Edison Rd. South Bend, IN from 2-4:30 PM with a candlelight service led by Maria at 4:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday January 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Please do not send flowers. We have family members who are aroma sensitive. Memorial contributions are appreciated for Logan Protective Services Board PO Box 1094 South Bend, IN 46601, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra 127 N. Michigan St. South Bend, IN 46601, or to your own favorite charity.