Mark J. Costello

Oklahoma State Labor Commissioner Mark Joseph Costello, 59, died August 23rd, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A fourth generation Oklahoman, Mark was born at Jane Phillips Hospital in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on November 10, 1955. He attended Bartlesville College High home of the Wildcats from 1971-1974 where he was active in DECA, Student Government and the Teenage Republicans. He attended the University of Kansas from 1974 -1978, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Mark put himself through college working summers on oil rigs in the North Sea. While attending K.U. he met his beloved wife Catherine (Cerkey), at church, who also attended the University of Kansas. They married in 1982. Mark began his career with Phillips Petroleum in Borger, Texas in 1982. Mark and his wife moved to Oklahoma City in 1983. Mark started a series of small businesses with nothing more than a card table, two folding chairs and a fierce determination to succeed. Under his thoughtful guidance and tireless work ethic Mark quickly became CEO of the internationally successful AMCAT, operating offices in Manchester, England, Germany, South Africa and New Zealand. He sold the company in 2007. He then devoted his attentions to the equally successful USA Digital. Mark was a devout Roman Catholic and instrumental in the founding of the Benedictine Abbey 'Our Lady of the Annunciation of Clear Creek' in Hulbert, Oklahoma. Mark was an active and faithful member of Christ the King parish in Oklahoma City. In 2010, Mark was elected as Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor in a historic margin of victory over the incumbent office holder and was re-elected to his second term in 2014. Mark is survived by his wife of 33 years, Catherine and their five children: Anna-Marie, Christian, Ian, Caitlin and Kolbe; brother Richard and wife Donna; and sisters Lydia and husband David Dreher; Alice Costello and 12 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Vic and Phyllis Costello of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Family and friends recall Mark as a devoted family man who took delight in hosting parties full of laughter, children, and joy. Mark was an engaging conversationalist with a fertile and creative mind. He was a humorous storyteller and loved to deliver a good punch line. He enjoyed intellectually stimulating conversation, even with people with whom he disagreed (maybe enjoying them the most!) His great passions were usually the topics of business, politics and religion. Mark had a calling to help his fellow man. He started scores of businesses during his professional career. Most of these businesses he partnered with someone needing his capital or marketing expertise. Not all of these ventures were a success, but many were. While many of these partnerships were for profit, others were to help get a friend back on his feet. Mark brought his business experience, sharp intellect and innate understanding of equity to the Oklahoma Department of Labor. He helped the agency prosper through troubled economies and reduced budgets. He provided direction and oversight as the agency took on new programs and increased responsibilities and he embraced technology and recognized its usefulness to agency staff and the public. He did all this without fanfare, being interested only in helping others, and in the process won the unfailing admiration of his employees and those who he met around the state. He was always willing to listen and quick to share a helpful word or smile. Mark could not resist the urge to help underdogs or people down on their luck. Scores of times Mark gave cars, loans or cash anonymously to people in need. "A good friend is someone who knows you well and likes you anyway." On a sunny Christmas Eve afternoon, 25 years ago, Mark brought a beautiful Christmas tree to a young family who could not afford one. The accountants complained bitterly about Mark's legendary generosity, but he never changed. Mark's faith was central to his life. He reflected on his actions regularly. If he judged his actions not up to his code, he would quickly make things right. Mark was mentally tough. There were a few rough patches, disasters and calamities. His professional advisors were always amazed at how Mark could bounce back after events that would have destroyed other men. Mark was a born risk taker; a risk taker in the best entrepreneurial spirit. Commissioner Costello will lay in state at the Oklahoma Capitol Thursday, August 27, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Prayer rosary and wake will be at 6:30pm, Friday, August 28, at Saint Monica Catholic Church, 2001 N Western Ave, Edmond, OK 73012. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00am Saturday August 29, at Saint Monica Catholic Church.