PROSPECT — Frank L. Kosko, Sr., 94, passed peacefully on Friday evening, Sept. 10, 2010, surrounded by loving children at Paradigm Nursing Home in Prospect where he resided for the past year after living independently for 10 years at the Lincoln Lewis Terrace in Southington.Frank was born Aug. 17, 1916, in Waterbury, and was predeceased by his wife and true love of 49 years, Nellie Rozdilski Kosko; his second wife and companion, Gertrude Duhaime Morgan; sons-in-law, William Litvaitis Sr., George Elukovich and Joel Dobbin. He was the last surviving child of Louis Kosko Sr. and Anastasia Murdich Kosko, being predeceased by brothers Anthony, John, Sam and Louis and sisters Helen Chuvala, Mary Rybinski and Rose Lengyl.
Frank grew up on Wooster Street in Naugatuck, graduated from Prospect Street School and attended Naugatuck High School, earning his high school diploma at night school after leaving in his senior year to work. He was an employee of W J Megin and worked in the building trade. In 1947 he created Suburban Building Supplies, later renaming the business Kosko Lumber. When the facility on Wooster Street was destroyed by arson in 1964, he bought the Matson Lumber facility on High Street and then expanded the business by opening Today’s Home Center on New Haven Road in 1978 with his son, Frank Jr. Following his retirement, he moved to Southington.
Frank was a member of the Prospect Street School PTA, Pond Hill Community Club, Beacon Valley Grange and was a deacon for many years at the Naugatuck Congregational Church. He and Nellie were leaders in the 4-H Club for decades, and in the 1970’s, he and Nellie were instrumental in revitalizing the Naugatuck Historic Society for which he and she served as officers and were lifetime members.
Frank was an avid traveler, having visited every state, Canada and Mexico numerous times both with his wives and then by himself in his 80s, with his favorite destination being Alaska, called it the land of the traveller.
He is survived by five daughters, Margaret and husband James Foley of Bethany, Karen and husband William Dillon of Mount Desert, Maine, Jean Dobbin of Naugatuck, Tamara and husband Nino Mattei of Waterbury, Barbara and husband Robert Tuckey of Prospect; and by his son, Frank L. Kosko Jr. and wife Myra of Sebastian, Fla. He also leaves 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Calling hours are Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial/Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury. The funeral will be held at the Congregational Church on the Green in Naugatuck at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial immediately afterward alongside his beloved Nellie and her family at the Woodtick Cemetery, Woodtick Road, Wolcott.
Donations in his name may be made to the Naugatuck Historical Society, 195 Water St., Naugatuck 06770; or a charity of your choice.
For more information and online condolences, visit http://www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com.
