Joseph James 'Pep' Costa Sr., Farrell, passed away peacefully at his residence at 5:35 a.m. Friday (11-4-11) with his family at his side following a brief illness. He was 79.

He was born in Farrell on September 10, 1932 the only son of Sande and Rose Petrillo Costa.

A lifelong Farrell resident, he was a member of Farrell High Schools graduating class of 1951.

Pep retired in 1991 with 41 years of service to the Farrell Area School District where he retired as their director of maintenance in 1991.

He was a member of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann's Church, Farrell. Pep was a standout baseball player in his youth and was proud to have earned a tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1950's. He coached his sons little league baseball team in Farrell for several years.

A decorated veteran, he served with the United States Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany, he was honorably discharged March 15, 1955. He was an accomplished drummer who played in the United States Army Band. He also worked seven nights a week in his youth playing local venues with different bands including the Peppy Costa Trio, and the Frantic Five. He enjoyed traveling on the bus to casino's with his wife and friends to watch the horses and play the slots. Pep was all about family; he made every attempt to see his children and grandchildren and never missed any of their extracurricular activities through the years, in his final days he simply wanted his family near his side.

His wife the former Rose Marie Koch, whom he married in St. Joseph's Church on November 24, 1956, survives at home.

He also leaves his two daughters, Sandra Lee Malgieri and her fiancé Jim Corbett, South Pymatuning, and Cindy Marie Sargous and her husband Dean, Sharon, two sons, Joseph J. 'PEP' Jr. and his wife Deborah, Hermitage, and Carl David Koch and his wife Davena, Farrell, his grandchildren, Shauna and Joseph Malgieri, Aja Sargous and her fiancé Sean Weston, Dylan and Phoenix Sargous, Joshua Bowman, Abbigayle and Dominik Costa, Jessica McCoy and her husband James, Andrea and Casey Koch, Dane and Collin Corbett; his great grandchildren, James and Barton McCoy, Farrah and Sephera; and his extended family Larry and Marsha Currie and their two children, Kalyn and Tony Currie.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 3208 Suite B, Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105 or to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311

Calling hours: 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday (11-6-11) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon, where the Rosary will be recited at 3:45.

To view the obituary or post a tribute to his family visit the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday (11-7-11) in Our Lady of Fatima Church-St. Ann's 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, with Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor as the celebrant. A brief prayer service will begin at 9:45 a.m. in the funeral home prior to leaving for the church.

Interment: Full military honors will be rendered at St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage, by the honor guard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6233, West Middlesex, and the American Legion Post 432, Wheatland.