R.I.P. Art - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

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

Skitterpop · 05-09-2006, 07:35 PM

Nice article Karl..........RIP and God Bless Art!

I have a gift certificate for one of those from last year Karl...is his family going to carry on the business? Thank you.

Karl F · 05-09-2006, 07:36 PM

Yeah Mike, his son has actually been running it for several years now.

Backbeach Jake · 05-09-2006, 07:41 PM

Art Costa was a Hot Sketch. He bought his buggies at Duarte's in P-town and my first sand sled was one of his trade in retirees. 65 International Travelall. You can still see it on postcards. He became friends with Steve McQueen after showing him how to drive in sand for a movie. Good guy.. Sorry he's gone...

tattoobob · 05-09-2006, 07:46 PM

That's to bad, RIP Art,
I always like to look at the faces in the trucks as they go buy
most of the time they are priceless

Karl F · 05-09-2006, 07:48 PM

That's right Fred! The Thomas Crown Affair.. the Park Service wouldn't sign off on them filming at Race Point, so they had to shoot the beach driving scenes over on one of the islands, if I remember right.
I almost bought one of his Suburbans, but crawled under it, and changed my mind, pronto.. it was a bondo beauty queen..

.. we all know the beach raises hell with them.. mines getting cab corners and rockers, as I type

pal156 · 05-09-2006, 08:04 PM

R.I.P. Art,I will miss the model A horn on his sand sled

Swimmer · 05-10-2006, 12:20 PM

Must've been oe of the last heterosexual couple to be married there! His tours have been famous for years. Didn't he also do the night thing with a clam bake too?

Raven · 05-10-2006, 12:54 PM

although i never got to meet him...

anyone that inspires others to see the natural beauty....

.....and lives a full life doing what he loves to do....
is a very lucky man and to say the least
and has lived quite well.

rip - ART the dunes man.

Flaptail · 05-10-2006, 07:30 PM

Never met him but have seen his tour vehicles since I was a kid when we went to P-Town for the day. Cool business. He got to drive the dunes everyday, man that makes me so jealous, hope Heaven is as nice as the Provincelands, but I doubt it.

Squid kids Dad · 05-10-2006, 07:44 PM

I remembering seeing those tours when I was kid also.never went on tho.What a great job...RIP...

Backbeach Jake · 05-10-2006, 09:17 PM

Those tours still run and it's a good time. They take you on trails that your Seashore permit doesn't allow. I highly recommend it. Art left a very nice legacy.