Bartolo "Bart" Costa passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025, in Holy Name Hospital, in Teaneck, New Jersey, at the age of 93. Born in Hackensack Hospital on December 2, 1931, Bart is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Judith Bresnan Costa; his two brothers, Vincent and Paul; and his sister, Jean. He is survived by his two daughters, Lauren Costa and Kristin Costa, and their spouses, Jose Santiago and Steven Berner; his sister-in-law, Dolores Bresnan, and her husband, Steven Barnes; and his five nieces and nephews.

Bart started working in his parents' dry goods business at the age of 6, helping his mother make and sell aprons. By age 13, he was accompanying his father on the family delivery truck, on which he brought shoes, clothes, and housewares to customers in the surrounding area. During this period, he was also an altar boy at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, in Hackensack. In 1950, he graduated from Hackensack High School. Three years later, he was drafted into the United States Army, became a member of the Honor Guard, was sent to Korea, and was assigned to the front lines. In time, he was given the special honor of being appointed General Maxwell Taylor's personal driver and bodyguard.

In 1954, Bart returned to Hackensack and joined his brothers in the family business. Three years later, they purchased a building that became the Costa Brothers Department Store, located at 3 Jackson Avenue, Hackensack. It remained a mainstay of the community for 50 years. In 1961, he married Judi, the love of his life, and moved to Bergenfield, NJ.

In 1972, Bart changed the direction of his life when he started Hobart Enterprises with his lifelong best friend, Tony Trobiano. Together, they built warehouses, car dealerships, fast food restaurants, small shopping centers and also renovated large office buildings. In 1994, heart problems caused him to retire early, but he continued to visit the Hobart office, often joining the "boys" for lunch at one of their many favorite restaurants. Over the years, Bart was a member of the Hudson Area Business Association, the Hackensack UNICO (an Italian American Club), and the Lions Club of Franklin Lakes.

After raising their family in Bergenfield, and Franklin Lakes, NJ, Bart and Judi eventually moved to Indian Field, a townhouse community in Mahwah, NJ, where they lived for 30 years and developed many lasting friendships. Because Bart always enjoyed the company of people and loved a good party, Indian Field turned out to be the perfect place for him and Judi. And since he was no longer obligated to go to a job every day, he threw himself into his new community. He helped to organize parties and built a walking path around the community's pond, complete with a bridge over a portion of it. But his true pride and joy was the regulation bocce court he built for the community. Once it was erected, he organized bocce tournaments and taught neighbors who were newcomers to the game how to play. Right up until last year, he could still be found playing bocce for two hours every afternoon.

For the past year, Bart lived in a comfortable one-bedroom apartment in the Five Star Premier Residences of Teaneck.

Funeral Services for Bart will be held at the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home at 397 Union Street, in Hackensack, NJ 07601. The viewing will take place over two days: Friday, September 19, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm - 9:00. On Saturday, September 20th, there will be a short service from 9:30 am - 10:30 am at the funeral home. Following the service, Bart will be interned at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 179 Hackensack Avenue, in Hackensack, NJ at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Avenue, in Hackensack. To send condolences, get directions or request further information, visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com