Augustine Costanzo Jr., 82, passed away on July 4, 2026, at his home in Arlington, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 28, 1943, in Stamford, Connecticut to Augustine and Angelina DeCamillo Costanzo. 

Augustine was a man of many nicknames: Junior, Augie, and known to most as Butch, grew up on Hirsch Road in Stamford, Connecticut. Growing up, he belonged to the Boot and Spur Riding Club. As one of the youngest members of the club and the youngest member of his family, at just 5 years old, he participated in rodeos on the weekend. With the support of his parents, alongside his older brother and sister, they traveled to different cities in Connecticut and New York doing trick horseback riding. Butch’s love of animals started young as he was raised around horses, chickens, donkeys, and pigs on their family’s property along with their family dog, Lassie. As a child, he loved playing with Lassie, briefly took tap dancing, and collected Lionel trains. As a teen he would ride his horse over to his cousin’s house wearing his cowboy hat and would charge friends a nickel for a ride. These early teen years started his love for music and playing the drums.

After attending Stamford High School, he worked with his brother Sonny installing flooring. Butch was later drafted into the Army on March 17, 1965. He went to the United States Army Training Center at Fort Dix in New Jersey working as a radio operator and was then stationed in Bamberg, Germany.

On March 8, 1967, Butch met his future bride, Barbara Trehubenko. Little did he know this would be the start of a beautiful 59-year relationship. On May 15, 1971, they were married at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Stamford, Connecticut. Butch and Barbara enjoyed going to the drive-in theater and spending time with family. He was a considerate and devoted husband. Like a true gentleman, he always opened the door, helped with the household chores, took care of car and home repairs, and surprised Barbara with gifts just because.

Early in their marriage, Butch had a dog grooming business while still working alongside his brother. Continuing his love of playing the drums, he played different gigs around town with his band. His passion for playing the drums and excitement to teach anyone and everyone about the drums, even at an early age, sparked his interest in becoming a private lessons drum teacher in Connecticut. In the spring of 1974, Butch and Barbara moved to Texas following his sister, Connie. There, he opened Poodles Choice Grooming Salon for a brief time. He later attended DeVry, specializing in electronics. In 1979, Butch began working at General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin until his retirement in 2006. For 27 years, he worked as an electronic technician, working on F-16 simulators under the Peace Marble and traveling to London, Egypt, and Israel.

Having lost his father as a child, Butch followed in his father’s footsteps as a dedicated father and family man. He felt his greatest success was raising a closeknit family. His daughter, Tina, was born in 1977, followed by Augustine III (1979), Tiffany (1983), and Lori (1985). As a patient and loving father, Butch loved spending time with his family going bowling, attending Ranger games, the circus, Six Flags, and taking memorable vacations. He enjoyed working on school and scout projects with his kids when they were young. Butch loved making people laugh and never missed an opportunity to tell a “dad joke.” His children have fond memories of him playing the drums in a band, Texas Crude, where they ended up inheriting his love and passion for music. As his children became young adults, he passed on valuable knowledge in woodworking, home repairs, and other life skills.

After retirement, Butch spent time with his grandkids, attending games, recitals, and competitions. He also enjoyed taking trips to WinStar with his wife, playing the drums, and making home renovations in his spare time. He was a devout Catholic and a member of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for 49 years.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents, Augustine and Angelina; brother, Anthony Costanzo; and sister Cathy Tangorro.

Butch is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children Tina and her husband Chris Bullock, Augustine III and his wife Amanda Costanzo, Tiffany and her husband Warren Costanzo, Lori and her husband Eddie Menting; his seven grandchildren: Austin, Amberlyn, Carson, Angelina, Alexander, Lorelei and Aubreyann; his sister, Connie Carman; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Emerald Hills Funeral Home, 500 Kennedale Sublett Rd., Kennedale, Texas 76060 from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026. A funeral mass will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 5819 W Pleasant Ridge Rd., Arlington, Texas 76016 at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

“Unforgettable, that’s what you are.” – Nat King Cole