Mar 7, 2007 By Joyce Koballa 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Best known in the community for his love of photography, Clarence W. “Bill” Costello was described by his son as “a man about town.” Bill Costello, 79, died suddenly this weekend at Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital in Wadsworth, Ohio.

Costello was a native of Connellsville who donated his services by taking photos at many events with more than 1,000 of them featured in the city’s Bicentennial Committee’s souvenir booklet, working side by side on the project with committee member Dexston Reed.

Robert Costello said his father began taking photos around age 15, developing his own film and even hand painting some of his black and white shots.

“He always said life is wonderful and he followed that motto,” said Costello of his father.

Reed said Costello took thousands of photos of Connellsville Immaculate Conception Church where he attended school.

“He was always full of energy and ready to be wherever you asked him…his photography was gift and legacy to the community and his family,” said Judy Keller, vice president of the Bicentennial Committee.

According to Keller, that legacy lives on at the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center where a copy of the souvenir booklet is on display.

“Without his pictures, that booklet wouldn’t have been possible,” said Keller.

Keller said she grew up with the Costello family on the city’s south side and even taught his children in school. “I’ve known them for a quarter of a century,” added Keller.

Keller said she last saw Costello in late February and his wife, Gertrude, holding one of his grandsons. “He was very proud of his family,” said Keller.

Costello also attended a dinner last month for the Bicentennial Committee at Nancy’s Fancy Tea Room in which Keller said he lined up the members on the staircase in the foyer to take yet another photo to add to their collection.

“He was a fixture at every event and wanted to record it in a photograph and as part of history,” said Keller.

One attribute that Reed noted about Costello was that he never charged for the photos he took and gave to others. “He loved his work,” said Reed.

While she only knew Costello through the Bicentennial Committee, member Karen Hechler said his kindness and cooperation made a lasting impression on her

“If you were looking for a certain photograph, he was the guy to see,” said Hechler.

According to Hechler, photos play an important role in history by providing visual images and that’s exactly what Costello did creating a treasure trove for both the committee and his family.

“The main interest (in the booklet) is photographs and Bill caught it all on film for us,” said Hechler.

With the second printing of the souvenir book, Hechler said Costello got the recognition he deserved with his name credited to the photos.

“What he did was phenomenal,” added Hechler.

Aside from working with the Bicentennial Committee, Costello was retired from Anchor Hocking Closure (Cap) Crown Cork and Seal with 49 1/2 years of service and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Costello enjoyed hunting and was a charter member of the South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club.