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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