Karl F
05-09-2006, 07:01 PM
Art's Dune Tours founder Arthur J. Costa dies at 84
Provincetown native started the unique business 60 years ago.
PROVINCETOWN - A local legend known for his infectious passion of the dunes and Province Lands, died Saturday.
Arthur J. ''Art'' Costa, 84, died at Liberty Commons Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center in North Chatham.
He was the husband of Patricia (DeCosta) Costa for 44 years.
Mr. Costa was born and raised in Provincetown.
A World War II Army veteran, he served in the Italian theater and fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino. He was wounded twice by shrapnel from mortar fire and was awarded the Purple Heart.
In 1946, starting with a 1936 Ford Woody, he founded Art's Dune Tours, which he ran until his health took a turn for the worse about five years ago.
''It wasn't really his work, it was his life,'' said son Robert, who now runs the business. He added that his father was always kind, gentle, loving and proud.
Mr. Costa hosted thousands of visitors from around the world and enjoyed educating customers about the beauty and fragile ecology of Provincetown's dunes. By the time he turned the business over to his son, he had built it up to include a number of dune taxis and employees.
''He enjoyed talking to people, showing them the dunes,'' said Costa's wife, Patricia. ''He just absolutely loved doing that.''
And visitors seemed to love him back. Once, when he and his wife were in New York City watching a Broadway production of ''Annie,'' a man a few rows back waved and shouted excitedly, ''Art's Dune Tours!''
''He just made you feel the magic, like you were an artist staying in one of the dune shacks,'' said Candice Collins-Boden, executive director of the Provincetown Chamber of Commerce and a friend of three decades.
In the off-season Mr. Costa delivered oil for Cape Cod Oil.
He was a member of the VFW Lewis A. Young Post. He enjoyed NASCAR racing and listening to the swing music of Glenn Miller.
Besides his wife and son Robert Costa of Provincetown, survivors include son Shawn Costa of Truro; a grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass with military honors will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Peter the Apostle Church, Prince Street, Provincetown. Burial is private.
Memorial donations may be made to Provincetown Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 109,
Provincetown, MA 02657
Provincetown native started the unique business 60 years ago.
PROVINCETOWN - A local legend known for his infectious passion of the dunes and Province Lands, died Saturday.
Arthur J. ''Art'' Costa, 84, died at Liberty Commons Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center in North Chatham.
He was the husband of Patricia (DeCosta) Costa for 44 years.
Mr. Costa was born and raised in Provincetown.
A World War II Army veteran, he served in the Italian theater and fought in the Battle of Monte Cassino. He was wounded twice by shrapnel from mortar fire and was awarded the Purple Heart.
In 1946, starting with a 1936 Ford Woody, he founded Art's Dune Tours, which he ran until his health took a turn for the worse about five years ago.
''It wasn't really his work, it was his life,'' said son Robert, who now runs the business. He added that his father was always kind, gentle, loving and proud.
Mr. Costa hosted thousands of visitors from around the world and enjoyed educating customers about the beauty and fragile ecology of Provincetown's dunes. By the time he turned the business over to his son, he had built it up to include a number of dune taxis and employees.
''He enjoyed talking to people, showing them the dunes,'' said Costa's wife, Patricia. ''He just absolutely loved doing that.''
And visitors seemed to love him back. Once, when he and his wife were in New York City watching a Broadway production of ''Annie,'' a man a few rows back waved and shouted excitedly, ''Art's Dune Tours!''
''He just made you feel the magic, like you were an artist staying in one of the dune shacks,'' said Candice Collins-Boden, executive director of the Provincetown Chamber of Commerce and a friend of three decades.
In the off-season Mr. Costa delivered oil for Cape Cod Oil.
He was a member of the VFW Lewis A. Young Post. He enjoyed NASCAR racing and listening to the swing music of Glenn Miller.
Besides his wife and son Robert Costa of Provincetown, survivors include son Shawn Costa of Truro; a grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass with military honors will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Peter the Apostle Church, Prince Street, Provincetown. Burial is private.
Memorial donations may be made to Provincetown Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 109,
Provincetown, MA 02657