Region mourns loss of Frank Costa

Lifetime Geelong resident, philanthropist, businessman and former Geelong Football Club president Frank Costa has died aged 83.

The father of eight passed away on Sunday morning, after battling ill health for a year. He is survived by his wife Shirley Costa.

Mr Costa was an admired community advocate who has demonstrated his support for the community through many acts of generosity to charitable causes.

Mr Costa was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the community of Geelong through ongoing roles and contributions to a range of sports, business, religious, medical, educational and social welfare organisations in 2015.

He is well known for his tenure as president of the Geelong Cats from 1998 to 2010.

Mr Costa helped turn the Cats from a financially struggling team to a powerhouse that won AFL premierships in 2007, 2009 and 2011.