Walter T. Kostanski, Jr., (1923-2015), was born in Erving, MA, the son of Walter and Jennie (Samorajski) Kostanski. His mother Jennie was born in Millers Falls, MA, the daughter of Russian/Polish immigrants.  His father, Walter, immigrated in 1911 from Poland. Walter was a graduate of the New England Institute of Funeral Directing and Embalming. He served in the United States Naval Armed Guard as a Gunner’s Mate during World War II. Walter and his brother Henry, established the Kostanski Funeral Homes in Greenfield and in Turners Falls. Walter was a dedicated public servant and he worked tirelessly to improve the Franklin County and Montague, MA, communities as a state representative.