Clovis' Dennis Costella mourned as Christian leader

As Clovis police continue to investigate the death of Dennis Costella, 63, who died Monday night while walking his dog, his family remembered him Wednesday as a man dedicated to his faith and family.

"He was a wonderful father and grandfather," said his wife, Janet Costella.

Mr. Costella was struck by a pickup about 8 p.m. Monday while crossing an intersection at Fowler and Shepherd avenues. Clovis police spokeswoman Janet Stoll-Lee said that the driver apparently did not see Mr. Costella in the intersection. The driver stopped after the collision and was not arrested.

Mr. Costella, a native of Idaho, was an elder at Grace Bible Church in Fresno. He was also director of the Fundamental Evangelistic Association, a ministry with a presence in publishing, the Internet and radio that Mr. Costella became associated with after completing college and graduate studies in business.

The Costellas were long-time residents of Los Osos on the central coast where Mr. Costella was a pastor of a church for 35 years.

Janet Costella said Mr. Costella was "very familiar" with the street where he was struck by the pickup. She described him as a very athletic man who enjoyed getting out almost every night for walks with his 4-year-old Labrador named Bear that the family adopted as a rescue dog. Janet Costella is puzzled by the accident because she said Mr. Costella was very careful with traffic and never jaywalked. Bear is still being treated by a veterinarian for injuries he suffered in the crash.

"It's a really hard thing," Janet Costella said of the loss of her husband. "But we know where he is ... Now he's with the Lord."

This story was originally published October 26, 2011 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Clovis' Dennis Costella mourned as Christian leader."