Obituary of Richard Frederick Coston

Richard Frederick Coston, 88, of Melbourne Beach, Florida was called by the Lord on August 10, 2020 due to natural causes. Dick was born on June 16, 1932 to Richard James and Margaret (Young) Coston in Manhattan, New York.

He is predeceased by his parents and his sister Grace. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Alice; five children: Richard Coston, Margaret (Norm) Chiger, Robert (Dana) Coston, Mary Presley and John (Angie) Coston; and fifteen beloved grandchildren: Richard Coston, Kristen Chiger, Kevin Chiger, Michael Coston, Kelly Coston, Erica Coston, Ryan Presley, Dean Coston, Grace Coston, Emily Coston, John Coston Jr., Scott Presley, Joseph Coston, Meredith Coston, and Charles Coston.

He was raised in the borough of Brooklyn, becoming an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan. He loved spending his early days at Ebbets Field with his friends. Dick graced the academic halls and basketball courts of Holy Cross Grammar School, St. John’s Preparatory High School, and St. John’s University. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Navy and was a Korean War Veteran, having served as an air traffic controller on the USS Lake Champlain (CV-39). Upon discharge from the Navy, he married Alice Marie Barranco, a nurse from Staten Island, NY. They bought their first home in Seaford, Long Island, where Dick worked as an air traffic controller at John F. Kennedy Airport. After eight years, Dick moved the family to New Hampshire, where he joined the U.S. Treasury Department and was assigned to the Boston office in Government Center.

After retiring from the federal government, the family moved to Bedford, NH, where Dick founded a real estate development and construction company with a close friend. Dick and Alice remained in Bedford for many happy years, as they raised their five children. Ready to be out of the cold weather, Dick eventually sold his company and the family relocated to Melbourne Beach, Florida. Soon thereafter, he started Coston Appraisal and Research, building it into a family business which became his professional legacy. Dick was a respected leader in the community; he proudly served two terms as Mayor of Melbourne Beach, and was at one point named Melbourne Beach’s Citizen of the Year.

Affectionately known as "Papa" (the man, the myth, the legend), he was a loving, generous, nurturing, and spiritual patriarch. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Dick served as the family's constant source of joy and laughter. He had an immense talent for story telling of his endless adventures, seasoned with valuable and enduring life lessons. Dick's absence on earth will leave a tremendous void for all who knew and loved him.

A funeral service to celebrate Dick's life will be held Friday, August 14, 2020 at 11 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Melbourne Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations go to charities that were near and dear to Dick's heart; Salvation Army, American Heart Association, or the Folds of Honor Foundation.

The following link may be followed for live broadcasting of the service: https://www.facebook.com/Johnny-Lascha-Videographer-CC-Video-Productions-144571235569745

We appreciate your understanding should any connections issues occurs as broadcasting comes with many uncertainties. The service will be recorded and a link will be made available after the service.