John Peter Kostiuk

Our friend and classmate Jack Kostiuk passed away suddenly at his home in Pitman, NJ on May 10, 2008. Jack was born in Liege, Belgium and grew up in New Jersey. He was an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Bloomfield High School in 1964. He came to the Academy because he wanted to fly, and he wanted to serve his country. He did each of these things extremely well. He was a natural pilot. He finished high in his pilot training class of 70-01 at Reese AFB and would no doubt have been at the very top if he had ever kept a book open for more than 10 minutes. He flew C141s, C130s, and B52s - all effortlessly. After exiting the Air Force in 1976, he pursued his love for flying in the commercial aviation industry. He flew for several airlines and was employed by British Aerospace as an instructor for over fifteen years in Washington, DC.

At our 40th class reunion we remembered Jack. We remembered the Mexican food at Nemeths and the hours we spent discussing the world's problems at the Kachina. We remembered the stops at the Sportsman's and Baby Doll in Castle Rock where we solved those problems still pending from the Kachina sessions. We remembered how there wasn't a sport that Jack couldn't play and play well. We recalled that the only time any of us could remember Jack's ever calm demeanor being ruffled was when he discovered that Benny Veteto and Glen Zauber had devoured the bottom layer in his box of chocolate covered cherries. Most of all we remember the friendship that we shared.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl S. (nee Hubbard). He leaves behind his son Jack P. (Allison) of Pitman, daughters Jennifer (Andy) Fox of Glassboro, Barbara (Michael) Miller of Pine Hill, grandchildren McKenna and Ethan Fox, Jonathan, Porter, and Riley Kostiuk, mother Betty Kostiuk of Mt. Pocono, PA, brother Roger of CA, sisters Danielle Casamento of Landing, NJ, and Kathleen Slater of Bloomfield, NJ. Memorial Services were held Tuesday, May 13, 2008 in the Pitman United Methodist Church, 758 N. Broadway, Pitman, NJ. Interment: Camden County Crematory, Atco, NJ. Those desiring may make a contribution to the American Cancer Society Bike-A-Thon, 1626 Locust Street, Phila., PA 19103 in memory of Jack Kostiuk.

When the roll was called at '68's Memorial Service in October the last name spoken was John P. Kostiuk. "Absent, sir." We'll miss you Jack.     (Benny Veteto and John Sullivan '68, CS-16)