Shrewsbury – Eugene “Gene” Milton Costa, 76, passed away unexpectedly Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 at UMass Medical Center – University Campus.
Gene was born Aug. 24, 1941 in Attleboro, and had been a long-time resident of Shrewsbury. He graduated from Attleboro High School, class of 1959, and attended Northeastern University.
Gene worked as an electrical engineer at several companies, including EG&G in Waltham. In 1972 he became the Vice President and General Manager of Walker Scientific, Inc. in Worcester. He led the company in this role until he retired in 2002.
While there, he was one of the pioneers in developing the electromagnetic system that was an integral part of the first MRI system. After his retirement from Walker Scientific, Inc., Gene indulged in his favorite hobby and attained his contractor’s license. He owned and operated H&D Construction Corporation, a home-building company. He was listed as a “Who’s Who in Business” and a “Who’s Who in Finance.”
Gene was the son of the late Eugene F. Costa and the late Lois J. (Hopkins) Costa, and the brother of Janet Costa of Attleboro. He was the loving father to four daughters, Rachel Alva of Dedham and her former husband Sandeep Alva of Needham, Kimberly Foley and her husband Michael of Marblehead, Nicole Conaton and her husband John of North Andover, and Mary Ellen Costa of Shrewsbury. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Nicholas, Harrison, and Maxwell Alva, Tyler, Olivia, and Owen Foley, Emily and Jack Conaton. He leaves his girlfriend, Elizabeth Cullen of Shrewsbury, and many nieces and nephews, as well as his former wife, Carol (Frenier) Walsh of Rye, N.H. He will be missed by his many adored “grand-pets,” Mitzi, Lila, Juno, Spencer, and Tucker.
Gene had a passion for cars, sailing, and the stock market. He loved taking his convertible on summer trips to Newport and Cape Cod. Gene was a mentor to many, often offering to assist others with a variety of projects. He loved working in his “shop” and enjoyed building beautiful crafts out of wood for his daughters. Gene enjoyed watching sports with his daughters, especially Patriots and Red Sox games; he never missed a Villanova basketball game. He also enjoyed working outdoors, especially on his John Deere tractor! He was a loving man who was adored by so many and, in return, he will be greatly missed.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his visiting hours at the Chiampa Funeral Home ~Sumner House~ 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 5-8 p.m. His funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury, Thursday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
