Fishkill - Milan (Mike) Kostrna peacefully entered into eternal rest on April 25, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife, Irene, and his loving children, Michael and Cindy.

Mike was born on September 13, 1929, in Surovce, Czechoslovakia, to Frank and Anna (Jakubicekova) Kostrna. After the death of his mother, Mike and his siblings, Cyril and Josephine, were raised by their grandmother, Katrina Kostranova. Mike adored his grandmother. Mike grew up in extreme poverty; his grandmother often begged for food to feed Mike, Cyril and Josephine. As a youth, Mike lived through the Nazi occupation of his homeland, digging graves for German soldiers and watching World War II unfold in his backyard. After the end of WWII, Mike's village was occupied by the Soviet Army. At the age of seventeen, Mike and his sister, Josephine, were able to join their father and stepmother in New York City, living on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan where he met a wonderful Hungarian girl whose name was Irene Timar. Mike worked very hard to improve and educate himself in his new country, even attending Brooklyn Community College, and achieving the American Dream.

In 1951, Mike was drafted into the United States Army and proudly served his new country in the Korean Conflict. He was a demolitions expert in Company C of the 1343rd Engineer Combat Battalion, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mike was honorably discharged from active duty in 1953. Upon his discharge, Mike returned to the Upper Eastside to build his life and pursue his dreams.

On July 2, 1955, Mike wed his sweetheart, Irene, at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Manhattan. Mike and Irene raised two wonderful children, Michael and Cindy, who adore and cherish their parents. Mike made many friends in his long life in all the places he lived, and he never hesitated to lend a hand to help his friends and neighbors.

In 1968, Mike had the opportunity to finally return to Czechoslovakia with his wife and children, returning to his hometown and reuniting with his brother who he had not seen since 1947. Mike returned to Slovakia several times during his life to attend family events.

As a veteran, one of the highlights of Mike's life was going on Mission 18 of the Hudson Valley Honor Flight in 2017 with his daughter Cindy as his guardian. It was truly an emotional, uplifting and amazing trip, and Mike was so happy to be recognized for his service. Mike often said that this was one of the biggest highlights of his life.

In 2019, Mike's family was able to throw him an amazing 90th birthday party. Many of his oldest friends joined his family in celebrating this remarkable achievement. It was a blessed and joyful evening.

Mike loved working with his hands and was proud of the house he renovated in Tappan, New York. Mike loved to garden, enjoyed playing soccer in his younger days, loved to cook and bake - he was famously known for his walnut and poppy seed rolls - and loved to tinker and repair whatever needed to be tinkered with. Mike adored his wife, his children and his grandchildren and did everything he could to provide for his family. He held several jobs in his life including steelworker, printer and head floor director. Mike was a fiercely proud Slovak, a fiercely proud American, a faithful Catholic, a proud veteran, and a loving brother, husband, father and grandfather.

His family is heartbroken at his passing, but we know that he continues to watch over us. Our Dad would anything for us - no questions asked. He could very capably solve any problem, no matter how big or small, and never hesitated to reach out and help anyone.

In addition to his loving wife, Irene, Mike is survived by his children, Michael and Cindy, his grandchildren, Michael and Gabriel, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews both in the United States and in Slovakia, as well as many friends and neighbors who he loved and who loved him in return.

Visiting hours are 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, April 29, 2022, at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, New York. The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Tom Colucci at 10:00 am at St. Mary Mother of the Church, 103 Jackson Street, Fishkill, New York. Burial will immediately follow at St. Denis Cemetery, 604 Beekman Road, Hopewell Jct., New York.

Please visit Milan's Book of Memories at mchoulfuneralhome.com.