Benjamin (S.) Kostin

Benjamin S. Kostin, 98, of West Hartford, CT, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2016. Born in Unionville, CT, he was a son of the late Bertha and Morris Kostin. Ben was predeceased by Irene Osias Kostin, who died on their 52nd wedding anniversary, and then by his long-time companion Blanche Sherman. Graduating from the Frank A. Bracket School in Hartford and from Hartford Public High, class of 1936A, he attended University of Connecticut in Storrs from January 1936 until June 1937 transferring to Bentley College thereafter to pursue accounting until his graduation in 1939. He worked for Jack Rosenbaum as an accountant from 1939 to 1942. Ben graduated from Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an infantry officer on October 29, 1942, marrying Irene on October 31, 1942 just before deployment to England. He was part of the Tough Hombres, 357th Infantry, 90th division of Patton’s 3rd Army. While in England, he attended the University of Birmingham and trained for the invasion of Europe, landing in France a few days after D-Day. He fought in France and Germany and in the Battle of the Bulge. After VE day, he was being trained to go to Japan when Japan surrendered but continued to serve in Europe through part of 1946. On returning to the states in 1946, he joined Harry K. Schwartz, becoming Schwartz & Kostin in 1949 after receiving his CPA that year. The name was changed to Schwartz, Kostin & Bell in 1960 and further changed with the addition of new named partners over the years then shortening to Kostin & Company and finally Kostin, Ruffkess & Company before becoming part of CohnReznick. Ben retired in 1985. He took much pride in his many years of service as a certified public accountant and his many loyal clients. Ben and Irene lived most of their lives in West Hartford before retirement and their move to Avon, CT and Boynton Beach. Ben and Blanche spent many active years in Boynton Beach before moving to The McAuley, West Hartford in 2006 to be near family. He is survived by his son Dane and his wife Michele, his son Ross, his grandson Jeremy and his wife Laura and their children Gabriel, Evan and Farah, his granddaughter Whitney Chernoff and her husband Keith and their children Ava, Lexie and Kayla, his granddaughter Elisabeth and her husband Doron Roth and his granddaughter Sasha Davis. He also leaves nieces Lana Segal (Mark) and Carol Pulver (David). He was predeceased by his beloved granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Kostin, by his brother Samuel Kostin and sister-in-law Gert, by his sister-in-law Lynette and brother-in-law George Gorsky and by his nephew Edward Kostin. Ben and Irene were founding members of Beth El Temple. He served as treasurer of B’nai Brith, was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a founding member and president of Suburban Swim and Racquet Club. Throughout his life Ben valued his many friendships, both new and long standing. His interests included golf, tennis, bridge, music and support of Jewish organizations and the state of Israel. In the last few years he took great pleasure in his relationships with his grandchildren and their growing families, listening to Swing Music on You Tube, using his computer, selling calls on the stock market and playing bridge. While at McAuley he loved weekly visits from Anita Cohen and weekly pre Shabbat calls from Michal Abehsera, Blanche’s daughter and granddaughter. The family thanks Merna White for the extraordinary personal care she gave Ben over the past few years.

The funeral will be held at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, with Rabbi James Rosen officiating, on Tuesday, June 28, 2026 at 11:30 am followed by interment at the Beth El Temple Cemetery, Jackson St. extension in Avon. Shiva will be observed at the home of Dane and Michele immediately following interment through Friday morning with morning minyan at 7:30 am and evening minyan at 7:30 pm. Donations may be made to Jessie’s Community Gardens c/o Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions or to sign the guest book for Ben, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.

Service Date: 01/01/1970