Alexander L. Kostka, 93, died on July 31, 2013. Al was born on January 25, 1920 in Elmwood, Connecticut, the youngest son of John and Magdalene (Marcinowska) Kostka. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cecilia; his parents; his brothers: Joe and Stanley; his sisters: Zita, Mary, Katherine, Helen, and Sr. Angela Kostka, RSM; as well as another brother, Joe, who died in infancy.
Al worked on the family farm (Vine Hill) and was educated in Hartford area schools as well as the La Salette Novitiate in Bloomfield, Connecticut.
Al proudly and honorably served his country during World War II having fought with the 45th Infantry Division, 180th Infantry Regiment, K Company in the European Theatre. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Good Conduct Medal-Enlisted and the National Defense Medal. Following the war he was stationed, at then Camp Carson, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He met and married Cecilia Adamic on November 9, 1946 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Canon City, Colorado.
He remained in service to his country by serving in the National Guard during the Korean Conflict. He worked for Meadow Gold Dairy for 25 years and retired from Benet Hill Monastery.
Al was an extremely talented individual, especially in the industrial arts. He was a compassionate man who had a unique sense of humor and marched to his own drummer. He was an outdoorsman, gardener, guitarist, and sketch artist who enjoyed family, friends, and polka music. He easily adapted to speaking foreign languages and was proud of his Polish heritage.
He was an active member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church where he served in many lay ministries, a life member of the Sacred Heart Retreat House Centurions, VFW Post 4051, the 45th Infantry Division Association as well as a member of the 180th Infantry Regiment Association.
Al is survived by his four children: Rosemary (Ralph) Holloway of San Antonio, Texas, Helen (John) Baum of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Kathleen Kostka of Arlington, Virginia, and Joseph (Diane) Kostka of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren: Alexandra Holloway of Ft. Worth, Texas, Matthew Kostka of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and Kellen Kostka of Colorado Springs, Colorado; nephew William John York of West Hartford, Connecticut; nieces: Betty Healy of West Hartford, Connecticut, and Ann Bowers of Newington, Connecticut, along with their families and several cousins.
Visitation will be held at Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2013 with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2320 North Cascade Avenue, at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2013.
Burial with Military Honors will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Canon City, Colorado at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon will be served immediately following the burial at St. Michael Catholic Church Parish Center located at North 11th Street and College Avenue, Canon City, CO 81212.
Memorials may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2320 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 or Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80921-1509.