Frank K Kosteczko

Frank K. Kosteczko, 69, of Gardiner, NY (Town of Shawangunk), passed away peacefully in Gods loving arms on Friday, July 25, 2025, after a long illness in Newburgh, NY. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Kim, and their children, Jen and Frankie.

Born on June 10, 1956, in Goshen, NY, Frank was the son of the late Frank N. and Elizabeth (Gillespie) Kosteczko. A lifelong resident of Gardiner, Frank graduated from Wallkill Senior High School in 1974.

On May 10, 1980, Frank married Kim Ann Baty of Montgomery, NY. Their story began the year before at the A&P grocery store in Montgomery, where Frank asked Kim to dinner as she rang up his groceries. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising a family and running their dairy farm, South Side Farm.

Frank grew up milking cows alongside his father until his father’s passing in 1987. He continued the family tradition of dairy farming with his wife and children. Frank also worked at the Wallkill Correctional Facility as a dairy farmer and later in the maintenance department, retiring in 2019.

Even in retirement, Frank stayed active—haying fields, cutting firewood, splitting locust posts by hand, and pursuing his many passions. He had a love for photography, classic rock (especially Blondie and Fleetwood Mac), and attended concerts whenever he could. He also enjoyed restoring tractors and classic cars—especially his beloved John Deere 70 passed down from his father. After a day of hard work, he often took joyrides on his Kawasaki KZ1000, exploring backroads to the Rondout Reservoir and always stopping at the Walden ice cream stand to bring home Kim’s favorite strawberry sundae.

Frank was a lifelong parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Gardiner. He was a proud and loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father, Papa, and friend. His legacy of hard work, faith, and devotion to his family and the land will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Kim; his daughter Jennifer and her husband John Scarano; his son Frank James “Frankie K”; and his cherished granddaughters, Camryn Marleah and Makenzie Anna Scarano. He is also survived by his sister Kathryn Rubinstein; sister-in-law Diane Kosteczko; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful dogs, Brooklyn and Lexi. Frank was deeply loved by Kim’s extended family, including Allen & Cher Baty, Roger & Terry Baty, Lee & Roxanna Baty, Donna Silker, Raymond & Anna Baty, Gigi Bauer, Di Ann & John Riker, Robin Kaufmann, Gerald Broas, Donald Broas, and Rosie & John Scarano and their families.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Gary Kosteczko.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Wallkill Funeral Home, 12 Bona Ventura Ave., Wallkill, NY.

A Farewell Prayer Service will take place on Wednesday, July 30, at 9:00 a.m. at Wallkill Funeral Home, followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 2212 Route 44/55, Gardiner, NY. The Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Matthew A. Yatkauskas, who supported Frank and his family with prayer throughout his illness. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery.

In honor of Frank’s life, the funeral procession will pass by his family's former beloved South Side Farm and family home on Albany Post Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s memory to the Wallkill Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 221, Wallkill, NY 12589 or the Walden Humane Society. 2489 Albany Post Road, Walden, NY 12586.

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