James M. Costa, 78, of Costa Drive in West Unity, NH, died Monday morning,
December 3, 2007 at the Valley Regional Hospital.

Mr. Costa was born to Francesco and Maria Raffaela Costa in Fabrizia, Italy,
on September 8, 1929.   He resided in Claremont most of his life until
relocating to West Unity in 1979.

While serving his country as a US paratrooper in the Korean War, Mr. Costa
sacrificed his leg in heroic military action earning him the Silver Star.
He is a highly decorated veteran having earned not only the Silver Star, but
a combat infantry badge, a Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and
three Purple Hearts, among other notable recognitions for valor, dedication,
and service.

Mr. Costa was a founding member of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team
Association ("Rakkasans"), and was honored as a Distinguished Member of the
Regiment.  He was selected as one of the original members of the first
Special Forces unit (Green Berets), and he served in Para Rescue and Air Sea
Rescue units.  Other associations include the 82nd Airborne Division
Association, Second Infantry Division Association, Veterans of Foreign War,
and the American Legion.

As a business entrepreneur, Mr. Costa founded and operated Costa Precision
Tool and Manufacturing Co. for seventeen years and retired in 1987.  Mr.
Costa was also an active and contributing member of the greater Claremont
community.  He coached American Legion baseball and served on the Goodwin
Community Center Commission.  He also generously supported local causes,
foundations and charities.

Mr. Costa is survived by his loving wife of 48 years,  Ingrid A.
(Schmittner) Costa;  his son Eric James Costa and his wife Terry of Windham;
his son Peter Heinz Costa and his wife Cathy of Winchester, MA; his son
Thomas Hans Costa and his wife Tina of Beverly Hills, CA; his daughter,
Heidi Marie (Costa) Parenti and her husband Guy; his six grandsons, Timothy,
Matthew, William, Michael, Max and Dominic; his sister Rosa Stapleton of New
Bedford, MA; his brother Michael Costa of Hampton, VA; his sister Mary
Cleghorn of Seffner, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Costa was pre-deceased by his parents and two sisters, Fay DiPiro and
his twin who died as an infant.

Mr. Costa will be forever remembered by those he leaves behind as a
respected leader, talented athlete, and heroic soldier, but most
importantly, as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother,
uncle and friend.  He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved
him.

Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont
on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday morning, Dec. 7th at
Eleven O'clock in St Joseph Church with Rev. Father Stanley J. Piwowar,
Pastor officiating.

Interment with full military honors will follow in St Mary's Cemetery.

The family suggests that donations may be made in his memory to the Fiske
Free Library's James M. Costa Book Fund, 108 Broad Street,  or to St Joseph
Church Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 824, both in Claremont, NH 03743.