It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Henry J. Costa, Jr., shareholder and Vice President of Flamm, Boroff & Bacine, PC, on Thursday, September 11, 2008 after a valiant battle with cancer.

Henry was the “construction lawyer’s lawyer.” He knew all that there is to know about construction law both from the inside, having worked as in-house counsel to the Schnabel Companies, and also private practice at Flamm, Boroff & Bacine, PC. His advice was much revered by his construction contractor clients as well as their general counsel and outside counsel, who frequently recognized Henry’s superior expertise and skill when they referred construction advice and litigation from their own law firms to Henry. He was known for his tact, skill and diplomacy, and his ability to negotiate a solid settlement even in the most heated of disputes. His abilities in this area were so widely respected that he was often persuaded to make himself available as a mediator and arbitrator in construction disputes.

Henry was a member of the Pennsylvania, Montgomery County and Lehigh County Bar Associations. He was instrumental in the Montgomery Bar Association’s modernization and refurbishment of the Bar Building in Norristown, an effort for which he was recognized and honored by the Association. In 2005, the Montgomery Bar Association presented the President’s Award to Henry for his dedication and services to the Association. He was regularly the chair or co-chair of the construction law section of the Montgomery Bar Association and chairman of the Association’s Fee Dispute Committee. Henry participated in numerous educational seminars, both for the members of the bar and for contractors and their associations.

Henry was a member, and at various times served on the board of directors, of the American Subcontractor’s Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter. He was also a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter. Henry was a member of the Pennsylvania Utility Contractor’s Association.

He was a great supporter of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, making innumerable appearances and sponsoring many events for “The Prep.” One of his last efforts was the recruitment of the son of one of our lawyers to attend The Prep - and Henry was particularly attentive to this, even in his last days.

Henry married Meg Butler in 1979. Their two sons, Henry III and Greg, work in the financial industry in New York City. Henry was completely devoted to Meg and his sons, and constantly spoke of them to his partners and clients, so much so that many of them felt that they knew Henry’s family although they had never met.

Henry J. Costa, Jr. did not start his career as a lawyer. Upon his graduation from Temple University, he worked as an insurance adjuster for Aetna Casualty and Surety Company. Seeking a greater challenge, he attended law school at The Delaware Law School of Widener College (now Widener University School of Law). After graduating in 1976, Henry worked for the Pennsylvania Department of General Services. He left the Department of General Services to work for Schnabel Associates, Inc., where he met and impressed many people who would become his clients later in his career.

Henry practiced with two partners for a period of time, and then “went solo,” as they say. He found that his client demands and the administrative burden imposed by his success was presenting obstacles to him, so in 1999 he became a shareholder in Flamm, Boroff & Bacine, PC. He remained as a key partner at Flamm, Boroff & Bacine, PC for the rest of his career.

In 2006, 2007 and 2008, Law & Politics, an independent organization that rates lawyers based on input from their peers, named Henry as a “Super Lawyer.” Super Lawyers are selected by members of the bar, who nominate lawyers for status as a “Super Lawyer.” This is a high honor of recognition by Henry’s peers of his abilities.

Henry’s contributions to the Firm were immeasurable and it is what it is today largely because of Henry’s influence and efforts. He was actively involved in the expansion of the Firm, particularly with the establishment of the Firm’s office in the Lehigh Valley. He was involved in hiring, both in the main office and in the Lehigh Valley, the maintenance of the Firm’s educational resources, its purchase of office buildings, and virtually all other aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Firm.

Henry was roundly the subject of good-natured ribbing for his propensity to be fastidious. Put shortly, Henry was one of those people who straightened pictures, and he took no end of jibing for it. However he always lived his standards: throughout his career there was never a crooked tie, never a hair out of place, and never a scuffed shoe. Henry was always the picture of the formal business gentleman.

There are many lawyers who know the law. There are many lawyers who know the business in which their careers are centered. There are many lawyers who know how to effectively counsel clients. There are practically none who do all three. Henry was one of those rare people. But all of that means nothing, if the lawyer, however consummate, is without a soul. Henry was possessed of a soul that transcends all worldly things. He was a good person. He directed not only his career, but his life, towards doing good and doing the right thing. There is no one to take his place and our Firm will miss him greatly.