Arthur J. Costa, Provincetown's "King of The Dunes"
Reprinted from Boston Globe, May 12th, 2006

Even Arthur J. Costa's business competitors couldn't deny that he was "king of the dunes" in Provincetown." He gives the best rides in town." said competing buggy driver Bill "Tiny" Fetner, during an interview with the Globe in 1977.  "People are always coming up and asking for Arthur."

Mr. Costa Founder of Art's Dune Tours in Provincetown died after complications from pneumonia at the Liberty Commons Skilled Care and Rehabilitation Center in Chatham.  He was 84.

Mr. Costa was a lifelong resident of Provincetown and attended high school there until he joined the Army during World War II.  For three years, Mr. Costa was an infantryman, and served in Europe.  He received the purple heart after being wounded by shrapnel from mortar fire, said his wife of 44 years, Patricia (DeCosta).

When he returned to Provincetown in 1946, Mr. Costa founded Arts Dune Tours.  In his 1936 Ford Woody, he took visitors on an adventure across the dunes.  He shared with his passengers not only the natural beauty of his hometown, but also his knowledge of and passion for the native birds, plants, and other wildlife.

When the business started attracting regular visitors, Mr. Costa hired extra drivers and invested in more modern beach vehicles for his peak summer season.  The trips were scheduled to last an hour, but they always went longer when Mr. Costa was at the wheel.

"The other drivers would stick to an hour, but when he would take people out it would be for two hours.  He loved educating and showing people the beauty of the sand dunes and the beach.  He never got sick of it," his wife said.

In the off-season, Mr. Costa delivered oil for Cape Cod Oil, along with items such as ice and groceries.  In 1999 he earned his Graduate Equivalency Diploma from Provincetown High School, Mrs. Costa said.

Mr. Costa was a member of the the Lewis A. Young Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and enjoyed NASCAR racing and dogs.  He was fond of swing music and Glenn Miller, which he listened to daily, his wife said.

Mr. Costa continued operating his business, which is currently run by his son, Robert of Provincetown, until the late 1990's when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to his wife and son Robert, he leaves another son Shawn of Truro; and a grandson.