Submitted by PNC Len Kondratiuk, Post 31
Stephen J. Kostecki, longtime National Quartermaster, passed away on 24 October 2025. Steve was born in Boston in 1946 and lived in the Mission Hill area of Roxbury. He graduated from Roslindale High School in 1964. In May 1965, he enlisted in the US Air Force and served on active duty for 20 years. He was influenced to enlist and making the Air Force a career by his two uncles.
COL Walter A. Kostecki, US Army Medical Corps, was a career Army doctor. He was stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded in December 1941. Capt. Kostecki survived the Bataan Death March and remained a POW until the end of World War II. He was decorated for saving many lives.
Steve was named after his uncle Stephen Kostachuk who was killed in action in 1944 during World War II. PVT Kostachuk was assigned to the 20th Combat Engineer Battalion that fought in North Africa, Sicily, D-Day, Normandy, Northern France and Germany.
TSgt Kostecki was a supply specialist and was stationed at various Air Forces in the US and overseas. He
retired in 1985 and moved back to Massachusetts. He was a longtime resident of Taunton.
Steve was a founding member of Post 31 in Boston. He served as post commander for over 25 years. Steve also served as the National Quartermaster for 25 years. He did an excellent job. We greatly enjoyed his company at national conventions. Every year he manned the UAV table at Soyuzivka. Steve was a gentleman with a great heart. He also had a keen mind that he revealed to close friends.
Funeral services were conducted on 7 November 2025 at Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church in Boston. Three former National Commanders attended: Matthew Koziak, Ihor Rudko, and Leonid Kondratiuk, as well as Post 31 members. Also in attendance was National Judge Advocate Bohdan Hetmansky and Post 19 Commander Bill Szozda. Steve leaves his brother Bill, sister Donna, one niece and four nephews.
Mission Complete.
Vichnaya Pamyat!
Steve Kostecki’s obituary was published on Legacy.com by Casper Funeral & Cremation Services on Nov. 1, 2025.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made on the UAV website.