James Leon Costanza

James Leon Costanza Nov. 26, 1935 – October 9, 2015 Resident of Aptos James Leon Costanza, passed away peacefully at his Aptos home on Friday, October 9. He was born on November 26, 1935 in Martinez, California. Jim attended Alhambra High School in Martinez, CA where he met the woman who would become his wife - Nancy Anne LaFleur; this past July they celebrated 57 years of marriage. His love of the sciences led him to the University of California at Berkeley where he earned his BS in 1958. In 1960 he earned his MS in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve in Ohio, and then in 1962 was awarded his Ph.D. He returned to Berkeley to teach young engineering students, until he moved on to join the aerospace industry's push into manned space programs. Working both on engineering teams and in marketing departments, he loved to use his expertise in fluid dynamics and creative insights to solve complex challenges - true to the nature of NASA's spirit in those decades. Prior to retirement, Jim earned his private pilot's license, continued to corral and guide his grown children, and welcomed grandchildren into the family. After retirement, he moved from Southern California back to his second and very beloved home, in Aptos California. He was preceded in death by his parents Rocco and Marguerite Costanza and his brother Robert Costanza. Among the many people who will cherish his memory are his wife Nancy Costanza, his children and their spouses Elizabeth (JR) Rauch, Natalie (Ernie Chavez) Costanza-Chavez, Robert Costanza, Wm. Rocco (Jinx) Costanza. Also his grandchildren, Jesse (Tyler) Van Leeuwen, Zoey Jennings, Sam Rauch, Lucas Costanza-Chavez, Gabriel Costanza-Chavez and his first and only great-granddaughter, Nora Elizabeth, and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at 10:30AM on Friday, October 23, at Resurrection Catholic Community of Aptos, CA. Inurnment, at the church will follow directly. Arrangements entrusted to Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County or Palo Alto Medical Foundation (Advancement of Palliative Care).