Mark del Costello

Mark del Costello

It is with great sadness we announce that Mark del Costello of Burlington NJ passed away at the age of 74 on Thursday March 7th at Virtua hospital in Willingboro, NJ. Born in Riverside NJ on June 15,1949 to Alice and Herman Costello, Mark grew up in Burlington NJ and went to St. Paul’s school and Holy Cross high school. He graduated from St. Francis University in Loretto, PA in 1972 but not before doing a stint with the National Guard. At St. Francis Mark was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. It was during these years he learned about photography and concert production. After graduating he was employed as a concert photographer by Electric Factory Concerts, allowing him to photograph and interface with such artists as the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, and Bruce Springsteen. He attended film school at the New School in New York City and was employed by the Museum of Modern Art as a senior cataloguer in their film department in charge of their poster collection. He also attended New York University Graduate Film School.  In 1979 Mark was employed by director Martin Scorsese as a photographer initially then in 1980 as one of his full-time assistants. In 1983 Mark left to embark on his own producing career. Throughout the 80’s Mark produced concerts all over the country for various artists including Torri Amos, Linda Ronstadt, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and Run DMC. He had a special place in his heart for Doo Wop music that included a 30-year history of finding original artists to perform at his many shows. In the 2000’s Mark taught in the film department at the Art Institute in Philadelphia until he retired in 2010.

Mark had served on the National Board of Advisors of the Indiana University Archives of African American Music and was an advisor to the Rhythm and Blues Foundation at the Smithsonian. He also was a historical consultant to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has collections in his name at Indiana University and St. Francis of Loretto containing numerous posters and photographs.

Mark is survived by his mother Alice Costello of Burlington NJ, sister Donna Michell of Raleigh NC and her husband Paul. Mark had special relationships with his niece Alison Michell and nephew Trevor Michell. Mark, since divorced, married Linda Maples in 1982 and remained close with his two stepdaughters, Stephanie Curran-Haugh and Christian Wetzel. He has many wonderful cousins with whom he loves to share great memories of their times growing up. It was his privilege to be the official Costello picnic photographer for many years. Mark was very fortunate to have been able to pursue his loves of photography, movies and music during his life and we will all miss the stories of his adventures and all the people he met. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers we ask you to consider donating to the American Stroke Association or a charity of your choice.

The family invites friends to attend his viewing and funeral services on Friday, March 15, 2024. Viewing will be at Page Funeral Home, 302 E. Union Street, Burlington from 9-10:30am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Paul's RC Church at 11am with burial to follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Jacksonville Road and Poplar Street in Burlington. 

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