Michael Joseph Costelloe March 29, 1952 – February 5, 2024

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Michael Joseph Costelloe.

Michael Joseph Costelloe was born on March 29, 1952 in Brooklyn, New York and passed away Feb. 5 after a series of health battles.

Mike was one of six born to John and Teresa Costelloe. He grew up in Long Island, New York before work called the family out west in the 1960s where they settled in Costa Mesa, California. Mike would go on to attend and graduate from Mesa High School where he excelled in baseball, football and wrestling. After graduation in 1970, Mike returned to New York where he eventually started his training as an electrician, a career that would bring him back out west later that decade.

It was there he met his wife Linda and her son Sam. They settled in Huntington Beach, California, where they added to the family in 1980 with the birth of their son Corey. Construction led the family in 1981 to Tehachapi, but the housing market crash that shortly followed left him in search of work. He hired on as a caretaker at Spring Oaks Ranch and then after the birth of his daughter Stacey, finished his license in 1985 and started "Mike Costelloe Electric," a company he operated, oftentimes on his own, until retiring in 2022.

Mike provided electrical services to thousands of homes and customers during his 37 years and it is impossible to look at any portion of the Tehachapi area without seeing a home his services touched. Mike did not only bring light to families, but to the community, volunteering his services to light the playing surfaces for Tehachapi Mountain Roller Hockey and Tehachapi Little League. He taught his own kids the trade and trained several other future electrical contractors, just like his predecessors had done for him.

Mike loved people and people watching. His favorite pastime later in life was posting up at a local watering role to enjoy a few beers with his contractor friends and chuckle at the action around him. He was a good man, fair to all, generous and the keeper of a big heart behind his loud East Coast speaking style. He had the unique opportunity of being a New Yorker, cowboy, rancher, husband, father, contractor, business owner, grandfather, coach and mentor.

Mike is survived by his son Sam Franko of Tombstone, Arizona, son Corey Costelloe and daughter Stacey Peel of Tehachapi, along with seven grandchildren, the youngest two who lovingly knew him as "Grandpa Mike." He is also survived by his brothers Jim Costelloe of Naples, Florida, Kevin Costelloe of Charleston, South Carolina, Brian Costelloe of Costa Mesa and Shawn Costelloe of Pittsburg, Kansas. He is also survived by his loving partner and friend Connie Ward. He is preceded in death by his sister Clarellen Miller and their parents.

Mike spent a career bringing light to Tehachapi, despite his passing, those lights will never fade. The family asks that donations be made in his name to the Tehachapi Warriors Booster Club, where two of his children sit on the board of directors, continuing his work of creating opportunities for the youth in Tehachapi by shining light on their accomplishments.