William J. Kostun

William J. Kostun, Sr. (“Bill”), 69, died peacefully on Friday, November 2, 2012, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He was born in Endicott, New York, on March 21, 1943. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen (Dennis) Kostun, and his beloved niece, Kelly M. LaBare. Bill is survived by his devoted and caring wife, Helen (McManus) Kostun; his three children, William J. Kostun, Jr., Attorney Kimberly M. Kostun-Senape, and her husband, Attorney Michael B. Senape, and Dennis E. Kostun; his loving sisters, Madeline Matthews and her husband, Daniel Matthews, Nancy A. LaBare and her husband, Gene LaBare; his uncle, Walter Fedourich; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law from his wife’s side of the family; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill’s pride and joy were his three precious and adoring grandchildren, Michael Bernard Senape, Jr., Jack Ryan Senape and his little princess, Mekehla Marie Senape, who affectionately referred to him as “Pop”. He so enjoyed spending time with Mikey, Jack and Mekehla, and they absolutely loved their “Pop” and enjoyed all the crazy times with him at the “P-A-R-K”. He loved watching Mikey play football, enjoyed his fishing extravaganzas with Jack, and joyfully watched his Princess Mekehla dance and perform for him. Bill graduated from Union Endicott High School in 1961. He was a proud Veteran of the United States Navy, having served two overseas tours of duty during the Vietnam War aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard CVA 31 from October 24, 1962 to November 25, 1966. He was employed by Prudential Insurance Company for over 25 years prior to his retirement. Bill also owned several apartment buildings during his lifetime which he proudly managed and maintained. The family would like to thank the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic, particularly Dr. Sangjin Lee and Dr. Nicholas Smedira, for saving Bill’s life in 2011 by implanting a heart pump and for all of the care given by them, as well as Dr. J. Eduardo Rame and the LVAD team at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) where he was recently treated. The care and compassion from both Cleveland Clinic and HUP enriched his past year of life and gave him the ability and opportunity to spend hours upon hours of quality time and so many special moments with his family. A special thank you to his loving sister Nancy LaBare for being the motivating force to get her brother to Cleveland. Bill will always be remembered for his compassion for those less fortunate, his wit, tremendous sense of humor and the ability to make you laugh and enjoy life every day to the fullest. Funeral Services will be held Monday 9:30 am from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, Sunday from 4-7 pm. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial contribution to further heart failure research, and can do so to Cleveland Clinic - Heart Research Fund No. 30054041, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193 or the University of Pennsylvania VAD Program c/o Development Office, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309.