Mario (Mike) Costa, 92 of Waterford, Virginia passed Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at his home.

Mario was born on October 28, 1931, in Yorktown Heights, NY to Antonio Costa and Adelia Gonsalvis.

His father worked in the construction industry, which required a number of moves until they settled on their family farm in Grahamsville, NY. Mario graduated from Ellenville High School where he excelled in his studies and a number of sports, especially baseball and soccer.

He served in the Army for 2 years during the Korean war, stationed in Okinawa and Japan. Following his military service, he married the love of his life, Ernestine Partridge. To them were born their two daughters Deborah and Denise.

Mario decided to follow in his father's footsteps and pursued a career in the construction industry working for The Lane Construction Corporation. He worked on many projects throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, ending his career as a Project Manager in 1996 in Virginia.

After designing and building his last home on his daughter's farm, he resided in Waterford, VA for the past 18 years, where he greeted children at Ballentine Farm School every day.

He was a devout Catholic his entire life and a member of St. Francis de Sales parish.

Mario was predeceased by his wife, Ernestine, his brothers Mackie, Freddie and Jimmy Costa and his sister Beatrice Calhelhas. He is survived by his daughter Deborah Ballentine and son-in-law James Ballentine, daughter Denise Costa-Painter and son- in-law Dick Painter, grandchildren Sarah Travis and Jeremy Ballentine, great grandchildren Kellan and Reid Travis and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE., Leesburg, VA  20176 a prayer service will begin at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mario Costa's name to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, (800) 822-6344, or www.stjude.org