Raymond B. Kostecki

Raymond Kostecki, age 95, WWII combat veteran and longtime Scoutmaster of Penfield’s BSA troop passed peacefully on June 27, 2022 to be reunited with the Lord and his one-and-only, Jean.

On July 20, 1926, Raymond Kostecki was the fifth child of eight born to Jacob and Rose (Shepp) Kostecki.  Ray was a lifelong resident of Bennett’s Valley leaving only to serve his country during WW II and later in the caring hands at Christ the King Manor.  As the youngest of three boys and one of many children in the Hollywood, PA community there was always a lot of outdoor activity.  He became an avid hunter and fisherman.  Many of Ray’s contemporaries only knew him as “Billy Buck”, a nickname that stuck from an old schoolyard game.  Ray also enjoyed participating in the football and wrestling teams of Huston Township High School.  Upon high school graduation he was immediately drafted into the US Army and received his Central European battle star while serving as a tank crewman in the 741^st Tank battalion of Patton’s 3^rd Army.  His unit advanced through Germany and closed out the war liberating the town of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia.  After the war, Ray was a standout baseball player in the Shawmut League.  He played shortstop for his beloved Hollywood team.  Ray met Jean Fantechi, the love of his life, at a Penfield Grange hall dance and they married in 1953.  Sons, Raymond and Jerome arrived and Ray eagerly shared his love of sports and outdoors with them.  He coached several of his sons’ little league teams where they eventually won a season championship.  Ray was probably best known and was most proud of being the longtime scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 33 of Penfield.  There were many camping trips and great stories that he liked to share.  He was extremely proud of his 4 Eagle Scout grandsons.  He was for a time one of the “regulars” at Camp Mountain Run.  Ray was always there willing to help in his quiet unassuming way.  He was a Vigil member of the BSA Order of the Arrow.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jean in 2000, brothers Joseph Kostecki (Florence), Francis Kostecki (WWII KIA), and sisters Veronica (Warren) Waddington, Agnes (Albino) Malfer, and Dorothy (Jim) Duncan.  He is survived by sisters Marcella (Scott) Distler, and Mary (Guy) Wiesner, his sons Ray (Polly) Kostecki of Williamsburg, VA, and Jerry (Debee) Kostecki of Center Valley, PA as well as grandchildren Adam Kostecki, Andrew Kostecki, John Paul Kostecki, Victoria Kostecki, and Charles Kostecki.

Ray will be greatly missed by his loving family and all those who knew his pleasant, jovial demeanor.  Ray’s family thanks the Bennett’s Valley Senior Center where he enjoyed fellowship, and Christ the King Manor of Dubois where he received an unmeasurable amount of care.

Public Visitation will be held on Friday, July 1, 2022 from 5 – 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Ralph M. Geer Funeral Home of Penfield, PA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 2, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church of Force, PA.

The family suggests memorials to the Penfield Volunteer Fire Company or the Bennetts Valley Senior Center and will be accepting online condolences at www.nedzafamilyfuneralhomes.com.