Walter Kostanski

Walter Kostanski
Born	(1923-12-10)December 10, 1923 Erving, Massachusetts
Died	June 15, 2015(2015-06-15) (aged 91)
Occupation	Businessperson & Politician
Years active	1957 to 1995
Organizations	Massachusetts House of Representatives Franklin County Register of Deeds
Political party	Republican

Walter Theodore Kostanski Jr. (December 10, 1923–June 15, 2015) was an American businessman and politician.

History

Early life

Walter Kostanski was born in Erving, Massachusetts. He lived in Turners Falls, Massachusetts and went to the Turners Falls High School.[1]

In 1942, Kostanski tried out for the Chicago Cubs, and then the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946.[1]

Military

Kostanski served in the United States Naval Armed Guard during World War II. While in the guard he served as a Gunners Mate Third Class on the ESSO Rochester from 1943-1946.[1][2] In 1947, Kostanski married Virginia Geraghty.[1]

Walter Kostanski
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Naval Armed Guard
Years of service	1943-1946
Awards	WWII Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Ribbon European – African Area Campaign Ribbon Asiatic – Pacific Area Ribbon The Philippine Liberation Medal

Business

After his service in the military he went to the Franklin & Marshall College and to the New England Institute of Funeral Directing Embalming. Kostanski lived in Turners Falls with his wife and family. He was a funeral director and was the owner of the Kostanski Funeral Home in Turners Falls.

Politics

Kostanski served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1957 to 1971 and was a Republican. He served as the Franklin County Register of Deeds from 1971 to 1995. Kostanski retired in 1995.[1]

Death

Kostanski died at his home in Turners Falls on June 15, 2015.[3][4][1]

Awards and medals

War medals include:[1]

• WWII Victory Medal
• American Area Campaign Ribbon
• European – African Area Campaign Ribbon
• Asiatic – Pacific Area Ribbon
• The Philippine Liberation Medal

Notes

1. "Kostanski Funeral Home, Inc. | Greenfield MA funeral home and cremation". Kostanski Funeral Home, Inc. | Greenfield MA funeral home and cremation. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
2. Davis, Richie (25 June 2015). "Former state rep., public servant Walter Kostanski dies at age 91". Retrieved 12 April 2023.
3. Walter Kostanski-obituary
4. '1969-1970 Public Officials of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.' Norma C. Pidgeon/Wallace C. Mills, Biographical Sketch of Walter Theodore Kostanski, pg. 203