Obituary of James M. Costanza

James M. Costanza of Summerfield, Florida passed away peacefully and went to our Lord on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Brandley House Hospice in Summerfield surrounded by his loving family. He was 70 years old. James was born on January 23, 1946 in Dover, NJ to the late Lucian and the late Rhoda (Thompson) Costanza. James was a police officer with the Morris Township Police Department for 25 years before retiring. Jim resided in Stanhope and Byram before moving to Florida 11 years ago. He enjoyed hunting and target shooting but most importantly he loved spending time with his cherished grandchildren. Jim was a 1964 graduate of Netcong High School in Netcong, NJ and a graduate of several law enforcement academies which included training at the FBI Academy at Quantico, VA for Anti Sniper training. Jim was one of the original members of the MTPD squad and brought his thorough knowledge of weaponry with him. In 1978 he attended Hostage Recovery School at the NYPD ESU at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn. In retirement he joined H&K (Heckler Koch Div.). Jim also helped in qualifying recruits during 1997 to 1998 at Sea Girt, NJ and did 5 years of firearms for NJ Div. of Criminal Justice Basic Course Investigation (BCI). His knowledge of weaponry and reloading will surely be missed by friends and acquaintances who relied upon his input as accurate and invaluable. James is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Dawn (Ely), their daughter, Krina DeMagistris & sons Joseph, & Matthew, Christopher & his wife, Susan, and daughters Carly, Holly, & Sophie, and Darren & his wife Nicole and daughter Kasie, and twin sons Alex and Michael. One brother, Thomas & his wife, Wister of Lancaster, NH and many, many dear nieces, nephews and special cousins. James's Life Celebration will include visitation on Friday, April 22nd from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ. There will be a prayer service on Saturday morning, April 23rd at 10:00 am also at the funeral home. Jim will be laid to rest at the Stanhope Union Cemetery in Mt. Olive Twp., NJ. For memorial donations, please consider "The Brandley House Hospice" of Marion County, 17395 SE 109th Terrace, Summerfield, FL 34491