The LuLac Edition #1455, Jan. 31st, 2011

PHOTO INDEX: THE LATE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRANK COSLETT WHO SERVED THE 120TH DISTRICT FROM 1979 THROUGH 1987 AND AN ARTICLE IN THE WYOMING VALLEY JOURNAL FROM 1980 WHERE THE PAPER'S FOUNDER DR. BILL REISHTEIN ENDORSES COSLETT AT A RALLY. (CLICK TO ENLARGE).

FRANK COSLETT

Former State Representative Frank Coslett died this past weekend. Coslett served as a State Representative from 1979 to 1987. He served as President of Kingston Council when T. Newell Wood retired in 1978 leaving a vacancy for the 20th District Senate seat. Frank O’Connell jumped into that race. Coslett ran for State Representative in the 1978 GOP landslide that was pretty similar to the 2010 race. Coslett won elections in ’78, 80, ’82 and ’84 before retiring after his fourth term. He faced down Democrats like Attorney Joe Carmody and John Pitcavage. Coslett was heavy into constituent service and was very approachable. Throughout his political career, Coslett got the support of Democrats as well as Republicans. (See photo index, second picture). A few people were surprised when he retired after a few years but Coslett had the term limit thing down pat before his national counterparts. Coslett had the same name as a popular local TV anchor except that the WBRE mainstay used the middle initial "D" to distinguish himself long before Coslett's career began. Coslett never lost an election, he was quite proud of that fact. To call Frank Coslett “old school” would be an understatement. Here is his obit from the Times Leader:
Franklin Coslett, 89, of Kingston, died Friday, January 28, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Edwardsville, Frank was a son of the late Job and Margaret Cox Coslett. He was a graduate of Edwardsville High School and attended Wilkes University. Frank was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. His sense of civic duty was not limited to his military service. Frank was a member and past president of Kingston Borough Council and a former Pennsylvania State Representative serving the 120th District for a number of terms. He retired with an undefeated electoral record. A successful businessman, Frank, along with his sons, owned and operated Coslett Plastering Contractor. He was a member of VFW Post 283, Kingston; the American Legion Black Diamond Post, Kingston; King David Masonic Lodge, Kingston; Irem Temple and the Caldwell Consistory. Frank was a lifelong member of Bethesda Congregational Church, Edwardsville. Preceding Frank in death, in addition to his parents, were his wife, the former Margaret Price; infant granddaughters, Beverly and Linda Wagner; brothers, Richard, John, Harold, and Harry; and sisters, Mary, Blodwyn, and Blanche. Frank is survived by sons, Frank and wife, Susan, Shavertown; Robert and wife, Donna, Forty Fort; daughter Cheryl Wagner and husband, Lee, Dallas; 10 grandchildren, Frank Jr., and Mark Coslett, Debbie Karp, Lee Jr., and Michael Wagner, Beth Ann Viglone, Robert Jr., Chad, Eric and Shane Coslett; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Job, George, and Delbert, all of Kingston, and Robert, Shavertown; sisters, Ruth, Margaret, Rachel, Evelyn and Ethel, all of Kingston; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Frank will be sadly missed by all. He defined dignity, pride and respect and was the embodiment of all three. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday from the Harold C. Snowdon Home for Funerals Inc., 420 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. The Rev. M. Lynn Snyder will officiate. Interment will be made in Memorial Shrine Park, Carverton. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Coslett family would like to thank the staff of Timber Ridge Health Care Center for the compassionate care Frank received. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations, if desired may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.