March 19, 2024

Hug Your Child Today. Goodbye Blake Daniel Costa, “The Beast”

“He has brought so many people together over his life by showing others his bravery and love for life."

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The year 2020 will not be remembered as a good year for many reasons. A global pandemic has most likely changed the way we will live forever. As many lament having to wear a mask in public, not being able to go to a hair stylist or going to a restaurant for dinner or not being able to watch millionaire athletes compete, one East Providence, RI family should help everyone put this in perspective. Five-year old Blake Daniel Costa died in his parents loving arms on Thursday morning, May 21, 2020. Blake’s parents, Nicholas and Lisa (Cabral) Costa of Riverside, have endured their son’s battle with brain cancer for four years. The Costas have offered to share the love of their beautiful son with everyone.

Blake loved being around his grandparents, family and friends. Those who knew him well would recall how much he also loved being outside, going to the park, seeing animals, painting, coloring, riding the tractor with his father, and being “Chef Blake.” Blake’s baking creations would show his great talent. He had a passion for cooking and always wanted to cook for others.

“Our Blake was a strong, brave and courageous boy who never had any fear and met every challenge head on with a smile. For all of his life he had to face adversity and suffering that no child should ever have to deal with. But being Blake and having the odds against him many times, he faced it head on and won and was affectionately called by many “The Beast,” the perfect name for the warrior that he was,” exclaimed a family statement.

It will be very unlikely that the brief life of this little boy will ever be forgotten. He has left an endurable mark on so many people in the family and the community. “He has brought so many people together over his life by showing others his bravery and love for life. This has been so evident in the past few months with all of the visits to the “Glass Door Project” (our Front door), the personalized Good Night Lights, meal trains, letters from our family, friends and the community (some we never have even met), and prayers from so many all over the world,” continued a family statement. Everyone seemed to know Blake and his energy, personality and bravery rose to the top. “We don’t know why Blake had to endure all of what he did but we do know that he taught us all a lesson that anyone big or small can make a difference in this sometimes crazy world and that we need to take a moment and enjoy life, our family and friends no matter what is going on because time is precious and you cannot ever get it back once it is gone, Nicholas and Lisa said.

Due to the pandemic, five year old Blake was buried in a semi-private funeral through Rebello’s Funeral Home, St. Francis Church and Gates of Heaven cemetery. Many family and friends and police and fire officials were in cars outside as Blake was buried.

Relatives and friends will gather in the future at St. Francis Xavier Church for a Memorial Mass and also a celebration of his life. Details will be announced when the family is able to do so.

“We would like to thank all of his doctors, nurses, and caregivers throughout his long journey here in RI and all over the country. To the team at Hasbro Children’s Hospital (our second home), thank you for being a family to us through all of the ups and downs and many tough conversations. From making his room comfortable and fun to helping him be himself and laugh. He truly loved you all,” said Blake’s loving parents.

Blake was the grandson of Arthur and Cecile Cabral of Riverside, Daniel Costa of East Providence and the late Humberta (Martins) Costa; the Godson of Michael and Leslie Karpowich; and the nephew of the late Jennifer Ann Costa. Blake leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends. He also leaves behind a world needing to hug their children more and to worry less about when they can go to a restaurant or hair stylist.

The Reporter NewsMag and this writer are truly touched by the meaningful life of Blake Daniel Costa. Our family offers Blake’s family our sincere condolences.

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