Greenfield, MA – It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Charles Edward Kestyn. Born on June 29, 1931 in South Deerfield MA, he grew up in Greenfield, MA, until joining the Navy during the Korean War, afterwards he used his VA Benefits to attain a business degree at Bryant College in Rhode Island where he also met his lovely wife Carol, and they married 1957. With 4 children and a mortgage, Charles landed a job with Northeast Airlines until a merger forced him to decide, despite the free travel perquisites that brought his family to exotic places, to not join with the company merger and returned to Greenfield. Charles, always sidelining as a Tax Preparer, decided that owning his own business was the best way to make a decent wage, and started his own accounting service company, Kesco Services, which he successfully ran for over 40 years. In addition to his work, Charles used his organizational skills at The Elks Club, as a past Exalted Ruler of Lodge 1261, as past President of White Eagles Society and Thaddeus Kosciusko Club, and was a 25 year volunteer member of The Arc. He enjoyed playing pitch weekly, and was a successful philatelist, having curated an impressive catalog of stamps from every country in the world, and read many a spy novel. Having still time for all family events, occasions, recitals, athletic events, graduations, everything. And that is how we remember him as a generous loving husband and father who gave us time to live our lives better, and we did because of him.
Charles was predeceased by his wife Carol Ann Hainey, his grandson Adam Charles Kestyn and his sister Delores Kestyn. Charles leaves behind four children, Kevin Kestyn, Northampton, MA, David Kestyn, Greece, NY, Paul Kestyn, Montague, MA and Sandra Lenois and spouse AJ, Greenfield, MA. Two siblings, Donald Kestyn and spouse Janice, Alexandria, VA and Barbara Kestyn, Montague, MA, as well as six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Visiting hours will take place at Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 87 Franklin St., Greenfield, on Friday March 6, from 4 PM until 6 PM.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 AM, at Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 Seventh St., Turners Falls. Committal prayers will immediately follow at Mater Delarosa Cemetery in Greenfield where Charles and his wife Carol will have their ashes interred.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes