James Joseph Costello

James Joseph Costello (“Jim”) passed away in Hillsboro, Oregon on February 4, 2021.  Jim was born in Youngstown, Ohio on January 19, 1955 to the late James Vincent Costello and Lena Marie (Peters).  He was the youngest of three children.  Jim’s heritage had roots in the town of Rotondella and Valsinni in the province of Matera in the Italian region of Basilicata.
Jim attended Taft Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown.  He had a life-long interest in art and design and started drawing cars at the age of 5, something he continued his whole life.  Jim graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design and obtained a Master’s Degree from Domus Academy in Milan, Italy which fulfilled a life-long dream of living in Italy.
Jim had an illustrious career in Product Design and Development.  He led Igloo’s Industrial Design Department for 10 years, creating numerous iconic designs, many of which are still on the market today.  His work included the innovative “Cool Roller”, the first cooler with wheels, which he tested on the beach in Galveston to ensure it rolled well in sand.  Among many others, he also designed the Spacemate Eco-friendly refrigerator and Playmate personal coolers.
After leaving Igloo, Jim established Costello Design in Houston Texas, his own Industrial Design and Product Development firm, later based in the Portland, Oregon area.  Costello Design created hundreds of successful contemporary products that have been placed in the marketplace.  Jim successfully worked globally with corporations, inventors, entrepreneurs, and start-up companies.
Jim was highly recognized in his profession, holding more than 20 patents in the areas of housewares, appliances, outdoor products, and insulated products.  He also received design awards from the Industrial Designers Society of America and Appliance Design magazine.
Jim was also a talented artist.  He would often draw and paint and had a unique and impressive style he perfected over the years.  He was very playful and loved incorporating a lot of color and whimsy into his art and designs.
Jim was extremely proud of his Italian heritage and spoke Italian fluently, as well as Spanish.  He was greatly influenced by Italian culture and design and loved good Italian food.  In his free time he enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling around Oregon and the west coast, cooking a favorite dish (including his famous linguine with pesto), taking long walks in the neighborhood, feeding the ducks, sketching, and having long talks with cherished family and friends.  Jim always enjoyed good conversation that included a good cup of coffee or espresso and homemade biscotti.
Jim was a beloved family man.  He was introduced to his wife Marion (D’Onofrio) in Houston by a mutual friend.  They married on November 25, 2000 on a beautiful day in Houston, Texas and honeymooned in several locations in Italy.  Their daughter Lucia was born in February 2003.
Jim is survived by his wife Marion Costello, his daughter Lucia Costello, his sister Joyce Rodnicki and her husband Nick, his brother Rocky Costello and his wife Bonnie, his brother-in-law Mike D’Onofrio and his wife Patty, his nephews Michael, Jamie and John D’Onofrio, his nephew Nicholas Rodnicki, and his niece Eliana Costello.
Jim touched many lives with his warmth, caring nature, humor, love, outstanding kindness, and incredible talent as a designer.  We will always cherish our precious memories with him and know his beautiful spirit will live on forever.
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