Former Geelong Cats president Frank Costa dies age 83
Acting Premier James Merlino will discuss a possible state funeral for Geelong legend Frank Costa with his family in coming days.
Victoria
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A state funeral could be held for Geelong legend Frank Costa.
Victoria’s Acting Premier James Merlino has not ruled out the possibility, paying tribute to the former Cat’s president as “an extraordinary Victorian”.
Costa - who died at the age of 83 this morning - was “passionate about not only the Geelong Football Club but the entire Geelong region”, Mr Merlino said.
The hugely successful businessman was also a great philanthropist and community-minded, he said.
“My thoughts are with Frank’s family, friends, and the entire Geelong community, who will be mourning his passing,” Mr Merlino said.
He said the government would be speaking with the Costa family about the possibility of holding a state funeral in coming days.
“He was such an extraordinary Victorian that I think that question, that opportunity, would be front and centre of everyone’s mind,” Mr Merlino said.
“There will be discussions with his family whether that is appropriate, whether that is something they want to see.We will work through that over the next few days.”
A legend of Geelong’s business, sport and social scene, Costa died peacefully after a long illness on Sunday morning.
The father of eight daughters, he died just a fortnight after he and wife Shirley marked their 61st wedding anniversary.
Costa had been battling ill health for about a year.
In the lead-up to Geelong’s appearance in last year’s AFL grand final, the Cats formally requested media refrain from seeking interviews with Costa — a former club president, patron and benefactor — because of his health concerns.
Cats star Joel Selwood paid tribute to Costa on social media, tweeting: “Rest peacefully my friend.”
Hawthorn Football Club president and former premier Jeff Kennett was among other high-profile identities to pay tribute.
“With the death of Frank Costa a wonderful human being has departed,” Mr Kennett said.
“Great values, to his large family my condolences. The City of Geelong and community will forever be in his debt.”
Media identity Dr Peter Larkins also expressed his condolences, writing: “RIP Frank Costa- an absolutely true Geelong club legend & family friend- so lucky to have him in my life - condolences to Shirley & all the wonderful Costa clan.”
Although he never played a game for the club, Costa will be remembered as perhaps the most influential figure in the Geelong Football Club’s history.
He joined the board in 1996 and was made president just two years later.
But the club was in diabolic financial strife and at risk of being forced to play all its home games in Melbourne.
Costa was at that stage one of Australia’s most successful businessmen, and famously turned down a $1 million cash bribe by the Calabrian mafia.
He had grown a humble family fruit shop on Moorabool St into a national fruit and vegetable empire, and his shrewd leadership style proved the tonic for Geelong.
With Brian Cook appointed as chief executive officer, Costa managed to keep the Cats in Geelong, and started the rebuild of the Kardinia Park stadium.
The off-field successes flowed on-field, culminating with the drought-breaking 2007 premiership, and the follow-up in 2009 before Costa’s retirement in 2010.
But Costa’s legacy in Geelong was so much more than football.
He was a generous philanthropist and fierce advocate for the community.
Even in his late 70s, he maintained a formal role as patron of up to 25 different organisations and charities.
The Committee For Geelong and Barwon Regional Youth Council were among the organisations that benefited from his leadership, and he gave generously to St John of God Hospital and Geelong’s St Mary’s church.
In a 2014 interview with the Geelong Advertiser, he explained his close connection with the church.
“St Mary’s has been pretty prominent in my life,” he said.
“I was chair of the appeal to do the place up. My parents were married there, I was baptised there, I had my First Communion, first confession.
“Shirley and I got married there and seven of our eight daughters were married there.
“The eighth one was married up in Daylesford; she didn’t want a big wedding.”
Originally published as Former Geelong Cats president Frank Costa dies age 83
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