Francois Costes



Memorial Gifts & Donations




Francois Costes

March 20, 1956 ~ February 8, 2019 (age 62)

Obituary

François Costes, 62, passed away on February 8, 2019, after cardiac arrest. He was born in Marrakesh, Morocco, on March 20,1956, to Anne-Marie and Philippe Costes and spent most of his childhood in France. François spoke French, English, and German, and was a curious, bright citizen of the world with passion for liberation and justice for all people.

François met Beth Kurtz in Germany in 1985. They married in 1987, and moved to Chapel Hill in 1989 shortly after the birth of their daughter, Lydie. François charmed Chapel Hill with sparkling wit and artful storytelling. He had a knack for finding treasures and a tireless dedication to keeping things out of landfills, thus benefiting his family and community as he frequently united objects with people who appreciated them.

François had countless talents, interests, and extraordinary knowledge spanning a wide range of subjects. Every conversation with him was memorable; he had great insight, which he always shared energetically. François was one-of-a-kind in presence and personality, ever chic, with a (benign) devilish twinkle in his eye.

He is survived by his wife, Beth, daughter, Lydie; his parents, Anne-Marie and Philippe Costes, brother Jean-Louis (Martine), aunt Hélène, and four cousins in France; siblings-in-law Rachel Gross (Bob), Sarah Kurtz (Jim Bernard), Stan Kurtz (Edith Acosta Chávez); four nieces and three nephews. François was preceded in death by his brothers Laurent and Pierre.
Memorial contributions can be made to Club Nova (www.clubnova.org) or Christian Peacemaker Teams (www.cpt.org).

 




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  • February 16, 2019
    Tom Munk says:
    A sparkling, caring light has left our world. My deepest sympathies to Beth and Lydie.

  • February 13, 2019
    Billy McLamb says:
    Good friend and a all around great guy. 

  • February 13, 2019
    Billy McLamb lit a candle:
    Lit since February 13, 2019 at 2:00:00 AM

  • February 13, 2019
    Peter Antonelli says:
    I had many informative, animated and hilarious conversations with Francois at Nice Price Books and later at the Chatham Habitat Restore over many years. It was always a pleasure to run into him somewhere. He seemed to always be out and about. I'm truly shocked and saddened. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

  • February 13, 2019
    Mark Jones says:
    I had seen Francois almost daily at thrift shops and yard sales. One day I approached him about a leather bag he had purchased. It was the begging of a beautiful friendship that will be missed. He will reside in my heart as a true jewel. 

  • February 13, 2019
    Steve Furman lit a candle:
    Lit since February 13, 2019 at 2:00:00 AM

  • February 13, 2019
    Steve Furman says:
    What a nice guy I hope to see you agaiin??

  • February 14, 2019
    Chandler Vatavuk lit a candle:
    Lit since February 14, 2019 at 2:00:00 AM

  • February 14, 2019
    Chandler Vatavuk says:
    A good friend who was always generous in providing his vast array of knowledge about antiques and furniture, I got to know him quite well over the past 3 years.  I always remembered his smiling face, occasional joke, kindness and continual upbeat attitude, I wish there were more like him in this world.  He will be greatly missed.        

  • February 15, 2019
    Milly L. says:
    What a sweet friendly guy! I didn't know Francois well, but was always glad to run into him at familiar haunts....thrift shops, yard sales, etc.  Very sorry about this loss, and much too early.

  • February 13, 2019
    Ruth Burnett says:
    Club Nova staff and members are sending deepest sympathy to the family for the loss of Francois. He was always a bright light with an awesome sense of humor and wit when he would visit the thrift shop. He was very kind and he was very helpful with sharing information that could benefit the pricing of items for the shop. He formed friendships with the staff and members working in the shop. He was such a regular customer and friend to the thrift shop. He will be so very missed by Club Nova and also from the surrounding community. My the family be blessed with the comfort and peace that they so need during this time.

  • February 17, 2019
    Cindy Kahler says:
    My sympathy goes out to  Beth and Lydie.  I did not know Francois well and haven't seen him in almost 10 years. My husband and I were privileged to meet him at Weaver Street and to rent his St.Gemaine en Laye apartment in 2009 for a week. After returning I met again with Francois and shared the several funny experiences we had had in our France trip and we both laughed with great glee. Such a warm, smart and friendly man and I will remember him always.  Peace and blessings to all who knew him.  

  • February 19, 2019
    Audrey Devine says:
    I had the pleasure of knowing Francois while I worked at GCF Chapel Hill. He quickly became a friend. He visited the store daily, sometimes 2-3 times. He was always cheerful, engaging with a childlike charm and stimulating conversation about jazz, architecture, good food, and his family. A chivalrous man, he was quick to encourage and even defend me and Margaret from difficult customers. He was much too young and enthusiastic to leave us, and He will be greatly missed. Much love and prayers for his wife and daughter, whom he loved.

  • February 19, 2019
    PTA Thrift Shop Team says:
    Dear Costes Family-PTA Thrift Shop team is sending its sincerest condolences for the untimely loss of your beloved Francoise.  Francoise holds a special place in our hearts as a customer and friend to PTA Thrift Shop.  Even on days when he just 'breezed' through, he always had a smile and friendly word or nod for our team members.  His knowledge of ALL things was vast and our team always enjoyed gaining knowledge from Francoise...we loved him so much that we named one of the book carts he donated after him.  We lovingly refer to the cart with the incoming books on the sales floor as 'Francoise'.  We will always remember his smile will keep your family lifted with healing light.

  • February 24, 2019
    Catherine Elkins says:
    Francois had found his true treasures back in 1985 and 1989, the rest were just happy visits with friends. Love you Kurtz- Costes family, all three of you. 

  • February 26, 2019
    Debbie and Rich Marion says:
    The world has lost a bit of its sparkle.

  • March 30, 2019
    RoseAnne Wallace says:
    We all loved and will miss Francois. He brightened our day with his presence. Deepest condolences to his family.

  • April 08, 2019
    Regina Lanoe says:
    Few people know that your actual name was Grenouille! Where are you hippity-hopping about now? 

  • February 17, 2019
    Rachel Gross says:
    Tom and Jennifer - so glad for your friendship to Beth and Lydie.

  • February 26, 2019
    Beth's sister Rachel says:
    Thank you, Catherine! I thought that maybe we should say something similar in the obituary; it is so true.

  • February 16, 2019
    Tom Munk says:
    A sparkling, caring light has left our world. My deepest sympathies to Beth and Lydie.

  • February 13, 2019
    Billy McLamb says:
    Good friend and a all around great guy. 

  • February 13, 2019
    Billy McLamb lit a candle:
    Lit since February 13, 2019 at 2:00:00 AM

  • February 13, 2019
    Peter Antonelli says:
    I had many informative, animated and hilarious conversations with Francois at Nice Price Books and later at the Chatham Habitat Restore over many years. It was always a pleasure to run into him somewhere. He seemed to always be out and about. I'm truly shocked and saddened. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

  • February 13, 2019
    Mark Jones says:
    I had seen Francois almost daily at thrift shops and yard sales. One day I approached him about a leather bag he had purchased. It was the begging of a beautiful friendship that will be missed. He will reside in my heart as a true jewel. 

  • February 13, 2019
    Steve Furman lit a candle:
    Lit since February 13, 2019 at 2:00:00 AM

  • February 13, 2019
    Steve Furman says:
    What a nice guy I hope to see you agaiin??

  • February 14, 2019
    Chandler Vatavuk lit a candle:
    Lit since February 14, 2019 at 2:00:00 AM

  • February 14, 2019
    Chandler Vatavuk says:
    A good friend who was always generous in providing his vast array of knowledge about antiques and furniture, I got to know him quite well over the past 3 years.  I always remembered his smiling face, occasional joke, kindness and continual upbeat attitude, I wish there were more like him in this world.  He will be greatly missed.        

  • February 15, 2019
    Milly L. says:
    What a sweet friendly guy! I didn't know Francois well, but was always glad to run into him at familiar haunts....thrift shops, yard sales, etc.  Very sorry about this loss, and much too early.

  • February 13, 2019
    Ruth Burnett says:
    Club Nova staff and members are sending deepest sympathy to the family for the loss of Francois. He was always a bright light with an awesome sense of humor and wit when he would visit the thrift shop. He was very kind and he was very helpful with sharing information that could benefit the pricing of items for the shop. He formed friendships with the staff and members working in the shop. He was such a regular customer and friend to the thrift shop. He will be so very missed by Club Nova and also from the surrounding community. My the family be blessed with the comfort and peace that they so need during this time.

  • February 17, 2019
    Cindy Kahler says:
    My sympathy goes out to  Beth and Lydie.  I did not know Francois well and haven't seen him in almost 10 years. My husband and I were privileged to meet him at Weaver Street and to rent his St.Gemaine en Laye apartment in 2009 for a week. After returning I met again with Francois and shared the several funny experiences we had had in our France trip and we both laughed with great glee. Such a warm, smart and friendly man and I will remember him always.  Peace and blessings to all who knew him.  

  • February 19, 2019
    Audrey Devine says:
    I had the pleasure of knowing Francois while I worked at GCF Chapel Hill. He quickly became a friend. He visited the store daily, sometimes 2-3 times. He was always cheerful, engaging with a childlike charm and stimulating conversation about jazz, architecture, good food, and his family. A chivalrous man, he was quick to encourage and even defend me and Margaret from difficult customers. He was much too young and enthusiastic to leave us, and He will be greatly missed. Much love and prayers for his wife and daughter, whom he loved.

  • February 19, 2019
    PTA Thrift Shop Team says:
    Dear Costes Family-PTA Thrift Shop team is sending its sincerest condolences for the untimely loss of your beloved Francoise.  Francoise holds a special place in our hearts as a customer and friend to PTA Thrift Shop.  Even on days when he just 'breezed' through, he always had a smile and friendly word or nod for our team members.  His knowledge of ALL things was vast and our team always enjoyed gaining knowledge from Francoise...we loved him so much that we named one of the book carts he donated after him.  We lovingly refer to the cart with the incoming books on the sales floor as 'Francoise'.  We will always remember his smile will keep your family lifted with healing light.

  • February 24, 2019
    Catherine Elkins says:
    Francois had found his true treasures back in 1985 and 1989, the rest were just happy visits with friends. Love you Kurtz- Costes family, all three of you. 

  • February 26, 2019
    Debbie and Rich Marion says:
    The world has lost a bit of its sparkle.

  • March 30, 2019
    RoseAnne Wallace says:
    We all loved and will miss Francois. He brightened our day with his presence. Deepest condolences to his family.

  • April 08, 2019
    Regina Lanoe says:
    Few people know that your actual name was Grenouille! Where are you hippity-hopping about now? 

  • February 17, 2019
    Rachel Gross says:
    Tom and Jennifer - so glad for your friendship to Beth and Lydie.

  • February 26, 2019
    Beth's sister Rachel says:
    Thank you, Catherine! I thought that maybe we should say something similar in the obituary; it is so true.