AMESBURY — Nicholas J. Costello – a selectman, state representative, state senator and the city’s first mayor – died Monday night at age 89, according to his wife of 64 years, Cynthia Costello.
“My beloved Nick has slipped his earthly bonds surrounded by family last evening,” she wrote in a statement.
As a state representative in 1978, Costello filed the original legislation for the purchase of the Moseley Estate now known as the 400-acre Maudslay State Park. His vision was of a passive recreation site combined with a cultural component open and accessible to the public, a Mass History Alliance official said in 2023.
In 1992, along with the late Edward Molin and Jim Gaines, Costello founded Newburyport’s Maudslay Arts Center, a popular cultural and entertainment destination. As president and vice president of the center, the Costellos personally welcomed tens of thousands of patrons.
Shortly after Costello’s death, friends, colleagues and others paused to reflect and recall his enormous contributions to the region and beyond.
“He had such a deep experience representing Amesbury in so many other capacities,” former Amesbury Mayor Thatcher Kezer said. “He did it all and was the best person to cut that path that the rest of us followed.”
Costello leaves behind his wife, five children and five grandchildren. His son and former local state Rep. Michael Costello said his father was the “guiding light” for the whole family.
“He taught us about love, compassion and empathy. He taught us to love the environment we lived in and to fight for it. He also encouraged us to engage in public service,” Michael Costello said. “His favorite line was, ‘Things don’t make people better, people make people better.’ We were all inspired by that and I don’t think we were the only ones.”
Over many years, Nicholas Costello climbed the ladder of public service. The Albany, New York, native arrived in Amesbury from Lynn in 1969.
After a stint on the Amesbury School Committee, he served as a selectman from 1972 to 1978, state representative from 1978 to 1983, and state senator from 1983 to 1991.
Current Amesbury state Sen. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of his friend.
“My heartfelt condolences go to Cynthia and their family. Nick was a true legend, renowned for his kind heart and tireless dedication to public service,” Finegold said in a statement. “His contributions significantly improved Amesbury and the surrounding communities, leaving a lasting legacy. I’ll always treasure the memory of working on his first campaign.”
In 1996, Costello became Amesbury’s first mayor after the community adopted a city form of government.
“I always referred to him as ‘the George Washington of Amesbury,’” Kezer said. “He laid down the baseline for the rest of us when it comes to operating as a city form of government and having a single person to lead the executive branch.”
After leaving office in 2001, Costello served as the executive director of the John Ashford Link House, a home for men recovering from alcohol and drug addiction in Newburyport that he co-founded in 1992.
“We are so sad to hear of Nick’s passing,” Link House officials said in a Facebook post. “He was such an amazing advocate for people in recovery and was integral to our programs and expansion. May his memory be a blessing, the community has lost a great man.”
Kezer said co-founding Link House was an example of a man completely dedicated to helping his community.
“He was a person who served others,” he said.
In a written statement, Mayor Kassandra Gove said she was saddened by Costello’s death.
“From my days at the (Amesbury) chamber of commerce to becoming mayor myself, Nick was always a source of support and guidance, generously sharing his wisdom,” she said. “He attracted celebrity-like crowds for hugs, handshakes and photos when he attended city functions over the years.”
Gove said Costello became a regular guest at the city’s annual veterans luncheon, the senior summer barbecue and the Amesbury Council on Aging’s holiday party.
Many years ago, the home of the city’s Council on Aging was named the Nicholas J. Costello Transportation Center after the former mayor.
“Nick’s legacy will forever be remembered for his unwavering dedication to Amesbury during his time as state rep., mayor and the many years after,” Gove said. “His passion for supporting a walkable and vibrant city center, building a community for the future, and forging a path to a better quality of life laid the foundation for the Amesbury we all know today.”
Former state Rep. Jim Kelcourse was part of Costello’s legacy (along with Michael Costello) in serving the First Essex District. He said he is a better person for having known Costello.
“I always tried to be like Nick as a state rep.,” he said. “He was a great public servant and role model to people such as myself. He always put everyone else before himself and left such a positive mark on the community.”
Kelcourse, who grew up in Amesbury, said Costello was always someone he remembered being around.
“He was always so involved,” he said. “Whether it was putting together Valentine’s cards and care packages with his wife for the troops over at Amesbury Chevrolet, or helping people in recovery, he just played such an important role helping people.”
Costello put community over party, Kelcourse added.
Along with Kezer, Gove, David Hildt and Ken Gray, Costello was part of an elite club of only a handful of Amesbury mayors. He was predeceased by Gray, who died in October.
Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon said in a statement that Costello was a legend in the region.
“(He had a) wonderful family who continues to give to their community,” he said. “He was an advocate, a fighter and a friend to all.”
Daily News editor Dave Rogers contributed to this story.
Staff writer Jim Sullivan covers Newburyport for The Daily News. He can be reached via email at jsullivan@newburyportnews.com or by phone at 978-961-3145. Follow him on Twitter @ndnsully.