Obituary of Donald Michael Kosty

Donald Michael Kosty Bradford/Tyrone: Donald Michael Kosty, age 82, of Lamoka Lake, died Wednesday November 22, 2023 in the comfort of his home on the shores of his beloved lake. There are no prior calling hours. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am Friday Dec. 1, 2023 at St Mary's of the Lake Catholic Church, 905 North Decatur, Watkins Glen with Father Jeffrey Tunnicliff officiating. Burial will be in Tyrone Union Cemetery, at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Wayne American Legion Meade-Price Post 1208 Inc., P.O. Box 101, Wayne, NY 14893 or the Tyrone Fire Dept., P.O. Box 69, Tyrone, NY 14887. Donald was born March 25, 1941 in Corning, NY, the son of the late Charles A. and Catherine (Benza) Kosty. He graduated from Corning Free Academy in 1959, and then attained an Associate Degree from Corning Community College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963-64, followed by 5 more years in the Army National Guard. On May 5, 1982 in the Weston Presbyterian Church he married the former Jean Marie Welsh; who he met during the latter of over 25 years, as a mail carrier for the Corning Post Office; retiring in 1987. They soon moved to Weston and eventually Lamoka Lake. He loved the lake and community around it; he was a member of the Lamoka –Waneta Lake Assoc. and served as the Town of Tyrone Assessor in the early 2000's. He was very active in the Wayne American Legion Meade-Price Post 1208, where he was a Past Commander; he was also a member of the Watkins Glen Elks Lodge #1546, and the Corning Moose Lodge. He cheered for the Yankees, the Giants, and Notre Dame; but he cheered loudest for his beloved grandchildren whom he cherished with all his heart. He is loved and will be forever missed by his wife of 41 years Jean Marie W. Kosty at home; a brother Robert 'Bob' (Marrianne) Kosty of Horseheads, step children Joseph H. (Kerry) Croft of Ontario, NY, and Kerri M. (John) Cover of Millersburg, PA, and a daughter Diana Kosty; 7 grandchildren, Maria J. (Brian) Bremer, Hannah N. (Josh) Fose, Katelynn M. (Alex) Lackey, Jessica M. (Zach) Stauffer, William Bryson Croft, Harry 'LJ' Croft, and Elizabeth 'Libby' Croft; along with several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was pre-deceased by a brother Charles A. Kosty in 2014; and a step son Lt. Col. William E. Croft in 2016. Arrangements entrusted to the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee, NY; online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.