[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 154 (Friday, September 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY OF JOHN ``JACK'' HARRINGTON 
                             COSTELLO, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LORI TRAHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 22, 2023

  Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tremendous 
contributions and legacy of John ``Jack'' Harrington Costello, Jr., a 
successful publisher and editor of the Lowell Sun and a beloved 
community leader who dedicated his life to the prosperity of my 
hometown, the city of Lowell and its community. He passed away 
peacefully on August 28, 2023.
  Jack was born in Lowell in 1944. After graduating from Keith Academy 
in 1963, Jack would go on to study business at Boston College. He then 
attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island where he 
would later graduate and proudly serve his country as a Lieutenant in 
the United States Navy from 1967 to 1970.
  After the Navy, Jack returned to his hometown of Lowell where he 
embarked on a 3 decades-long professional career at his cherished 
family-founded local paper, The Lowell Sun. Jack got his start as a 
sports writer before quickly moving up through the ranks to sports 
editor, to editor, and ultimately taking his destined position as the 
Sun's publisher. He was known for his integrity, persistence, 
decisiveness, and ability to extract the best out of his employees and 
those around him. The Sun thrived under Jack's leadership due to his 
mission of keeping the paper hyperlocal, so residents were always 
informed of what was happening in their community. Over the span of his 
career, Jack carefully curated a local paper that was dedicated to 
delivering accurate and relevant news to the Greater Lowell area.
  When he wasn't working tirelessly to ensure the Sun ran smoothly, 
Jack was involved in the revitalization of his hometown. His expertise 
and vision for the future of the City made him a trusted confidant to 
many business and political leaders over the years. He served as 
Chairman of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, which welcomed many 
talented artists to perform at the venue under his stewardship. Jack 
also served as Chairman of the Tsongas Arena Commission and was 
instrumental in the arena's creation. In addition to these 
accomplishments, he is also responsible for helping to bring 
professional hockey and baseball teams to Lowell for the community to 
enjoy. Jack's contributions to Lowell have made a lasting impact on the 
city and will continue to be felt for generations to come.
  Jack will be remembered for his love for his family and friends, his 
kindness to those around him, his distinguished professional career, 
and his immense pride in the City of Lowell. My heart goes out to 
Brenda, his loving wife of 54 years, his children, John III, Peter, 
Nicole, and Suzanne, and the entire Costello family during this 
difficult time. Jack's legacy will live on through his loving family 
and all of us who had the honor of knowing him.

                          ____________________