" Ken a year has passed since you went home to be with our Lord. A day dosen't go by that I don't miss your voice on the phone and all the other stuff that we enjoyed , Your visits here were priceless.You are my number #1 son and I am so proud of your many accomplishments. I love you and miss you !"
In loving memory of
Kenneth Duane Costanzo
October 31, 1952 - February 11, 2013
Kenneth Duane Costanzo, the oldest of three children of Norma Jane (Chapman) and Richard Robert Costanzo, was born on October 31, 1952 in Hartford, Connecticut. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from high school, and attended two years of college. Kenneth worked as a lineman for a cable company throughout the southern United States for a number of years. In 2008, he moved to live with his daughter in Carson, Iowa and was currently employed as a tractor trailer operator for Greater Omaha Express in Omaha, Nebraska.
Kenneth enjoyed cooking and always wanting to help others. He was very family oriented and loved spending time with his family and grandkids, which were his pride and joy.
Kenneth died on February 11, 2013 from a big rig rollover accident just across the California-Nevada border near Verdi, California, at the age of 60 years, 3 months, and 9 days.
Kenneth is survived by his daughter Amanda Knoke and husband Chris of Carson; three grandchildren, Anthony, Justin, and Maddox Knoke; mother Norma Eagle and husband Vern of Sherwood, AR; father Richard Costanzo and wife Sandra of Bokeelia, FL; sisters, Sandy Reynosa of Sherwood, and Jill Costanzo of Biloxi, MS; stepsisters, Shauna Wright of North Fort Myers, FL, Kahlene Wisniewski of Cape Coral, FL, and Nancy Diamond of Bokeelia; his friends at Greater Omaha Express; and other relatives and friends.
Memorials are directed to his family.
No scheduled services or interment.
Loess Hills Funeral Home of Carson in charge of arrangements.
Tributes
"Ken my old buddy, it has been almost a year now since we spoke for the last time. I miss those daily chats we had, when we were on opposite sides of the country driving to our destinations. Nobody will ever be able to replace that piece of my life you occupied, and still do.
There are memories of how you were goofy when you were so dog tired, memories of how we would miss meeting up by just minutes and always just shooting the breeze when we saw each other.
I never had an older brother, but to me you were the closest thing to one for me.
Thanks for being there when I needed a true friend.
As always your friend Gary."
"Happy Birthday Big Brother. I sang it to you in my very best voice this morning as I know you would appreciate it. You would call me like 2 days before and sing me Happy Birthday as practice for my big day; I just loved it! I hope you know how much I love you and that you are the greatest brother in the world. You always have time to listen to my woes and you have a way of making me laugh til it hurts. You live in my heart and are still in my thoughts daily. I miss you so much. I don't want you to worry; I'm taking real good care of our Mom. Thanks for always being there for me. You're the BEST! Love your sister Sandi
"
"My son, my first born Kenneth,today you would have been 61 years old but the Lord called you home in February and Sandi and I think of you every day and hope you are well and happy.The love and memories we shared will always be part of our lives. I thank the Lord for allowing us to have you even though it was not what we had hoped for We are proud of your accomplishes and pray that we all will be together when the Lord calls us home. UP TO THE SKY!"
"I am deeply sorry for the loss of Kenneth Duane Costanzo may this loving hard-working man now RIP, the pain is indescribable and the reality can be too unbearable to accept but the hope we draw from the Almighty is completely reversible so then far be it for the true God to act unjustly, "if an able bodied man dies can he live again? All the days of my compulsory service I shall wait until my relief comes." Job 14:14. "...He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has even put eternity in their heart... I have concluded that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during their life; also that everyone should eat and drink and find enjoyment for all his hard work. It is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:10-13 "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, ... to a resurrection of life." John 5:28,29"
"I'm not yet able to say good bye; only see you later. We have so much more to do together, so many more stories to tell each other and things to laugh about. We have trips to Mississippi to see our little sister Jill and more middle of the night pick ups down the street to suprise Mom when she wakes up in the morning. I don't want you to be gone so I just tell myself that you're out there driving. I hope that's okay big brother. You are the best brother a sister could ever ask for and the greatest man I am proud to know, Whatever you set your mind to-you did it - you got it done. You stood tall and you were unbeatable. I love you."
"There are special people in this world who are neither rich nor famous but whose concern for others often overtakes concern for themselves. Looking back on his life, surely we realize Ken was one of those people. Family was so important to him that even after he was no longer my son-in-law, he still called me "Mom." The road he traveled ended far too early, yet he left behind a memory map of all those he loved and those who will always love him. "
"Forever My Love..."
"Kenny was my best friend in high school and for many years afterwards. My first child is his God son and hi middle name is Kenneth. We hadn't seen or spoken to each other for many years for various reasons , but he was never not in my thoughts. We spent manys days together over the years including time in the hospital together after one of our adventures ! I can say that I truly regret not staying in touch with my friend. I will always see his big smile and remember his impish grin. Kenny his parents and sisters were my second family and they made my teenaged years less trying and their home was a refuge. I hope one day to see my friend again and tell him that I love him like a brother and like the song says "you don't know what you had until it's gone". Kenny is gone but won't be forgotten by me ever. To his family I say, I feel your pain over Kenny's leaving this world but I know he would not want us walking around sad and in pain. He'll never be gone as long as we keep him alive in our hearts and thoughts. I love and miss my friend."
"To the Costanzo Family, So sorry to learn about the loss of your Dear Loved One, Kenneth. Please know that so many people share your grief with you to help you through this difficult time of sorrow. Please accept my deepest condolences as we await the time when Christ Jesus will awaken all of those who have fallen asleep in death; including your Beloved, Ken. (John 11:41-44)"
"I haven't seen Kenny in many years, actually since he lived in Connecticut. As the years passed I heard nothing but good things about Kenny from his parents how he was such a hard worker and so thoughful and giving. He was so close to his two sisters Jill & Sandy and so devoted to his daughter and grandchildren. Wish I got to see him more...He will be missed."
" Your Italian/Canadian Relatives ( paternal grandfather and grandmother, Saverio and Nunziata Costanzo. Fern and Len Favot and family We never met Kenny in person and have only seen Kenny with his smiling young face in the family pictures that grandfather Sam used to send to our family in Canada. We are deeply saddened by this tragic family loss. Our heartfelt sympathy, prayers and love are with all the family. Be Strong..."
"Hadn't seen Kenny in years. My memories of him were when he and his sisters lived in CT - pre-teen and teen. He was an awesome kid, always smiling and very respectful. Remember "baby sitting" for him and the girls one day with my fraternity brother. He couldn't have been more than 9 or 10 and was making scrambled eggs for Sandy and Jill. He was that kind of "just do it" guy. I regret not seeing or speaking with him in recent years. Try to reach out to someone who you haven't spoken to in a while and reconnect - life is short. Miss you Ken!!"
"Ken , I will miss you and the boys coming in for breakfast you was a great guy rip Ken"
"I met Kenny when he moved to Chris and Amanda's. Right away I thought that Kenny was a good guy, I was wrong, Kenny was a great man. I will miss his laughter and seeing how much he loved his family. Thanks for the memories Kenny and may you enjoy the Corona in Heaven."
"Ken was my grandpa and I loved him. I spent a lot of time with him when he was home. When I had school he would make sure he was home almost every Sunday so we could watch Animation Domination on tv. In the summer I would usually be with him in his truck. I'm going to miss both of those things and I'm definitely going to miss him. I love you grandpa."
"Ken was a special person and an even more special son he loved his family to him they came first I will miss him a lot I know he is up in heaven and a peace with himself and in Gods hands and arms I miss you son someday will we be together again Love you son and always will "
"Uncle Kenny will always be Uncle Bucket Head to me. He was an awesome uncle! He taught me to drive a 5-speed (which was hysterical), introduced me to Jimmy Buffet music and to put mustard in my tuna salad (after great "debate"). There are so many great and funny memories I have of him, these are just a few.
I hope that he knows how much he is loved and how much he will be missed. He touched so many lives and helped so many people. He was a great father, son, brother, uncle and friend. RIP Uncle Bucket Head! "
"I remember the first time I met Kenny, he was living the hippie life. We picked him up, took him home and he lived and worked with us. He had gained a stepsister and two more sisters by then. Ken always had a happy, positive attitude. He loved his daughter, Amanda, with so much love. Most fathers don't take to bathing and diapering a baby, but Kenny took to it like a duck to water. His daughter and grandson's were the love of his life and his inspiration. Almost forgot his other love, his truck and driving. Being an over the road driver is something you really have to love, to be able to do it. Ken, you were my son, even though I didn't give birth to you. You will be dearly missed."
"YOU WERE A SPECIAL PERSON.I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU KEN.REST IN PEACE"
"I will always remember Kenny, my cousin, as someone who made me laugh and someone I was always happy to see!! May you rest in peace ... you were the best! xxo"
"I am Ken's sister so I have lots of stories about Ken. He was a very special person He loved joking around and to make people laugh.. He was a very giving man He was an amazing .man He loved life and lived it to the fullest..Ken was the best brother in the whole world and I will miss him more than words can say. R.I.P my loving brother."
"I will never be able to fill your shoes but, I want you to know that I am here with Our Manda and Our boys. You would be so proud of her..And of Chris.
See you on the other side,,,Love you 3"