Born in Buffalo, Mr. Costanza grew up in the city’s Pine Hill neighborhood and graduated from Seneca Vocational High School.

He operated a construction business, building homes primarily in Cheektowaga and Lancaster until about 1960, then became a member of Bricklayers Local 45.

He worked on both the University at Buffalo campuses; the Boulevard, Eastern Hills and Galleria malls; several local hospitals; and the Buffalo light rail project. He retired in 1993.

He would drive his children around on Sunday mornings to look at the sites where he had been working.

“It was always fun to see the progress of each construction job,” his son Richard said. “Even today, as we drive by those same places, we are reminded of his hard work.”

He enjoyed cooking and helping on home projects.

“Creating a home with a warm and welcoming environment was very important to him and we are reminded of that every time we look around our homes,” his son Richard said. “He was always behind every home project, lending his guidance and expertise even if he was no longer able to do the work himself.”

“I look at the fireplace,” his daughter said, “and I just see my dad.”