Frank Kokoska, a resident of Redding, CT for 48-years and an active member of the community, passed away November 29th surrounded by his family and life-long friends, people he loved and who loved him. He was on this earth for 73-years. The death of a good man does not go unnoticed. He was a simple man who loved working with his hands, loved working with wood, and was a man of the earth. He could take you out into the woods and show you where the Lady Slippers were, or where deer had slept during the night, or where to find wild mushrooms or blueberries. He had so many stories to tell about wood lore and nature that he could keep you entertained for hours. He was also a dedicated family man who loved his rather large family of brothers and sisters and his own two children and their families. He was especially proud and loving of his one and only granddaughter who was the apple of his eye. Frank belonged to the Redding Jaycee's for many years and at one point was President during the hey-day of that group, helping to organize annual car shows at Joel Barlow and elsewhere in town. As a Jaycee, he rebuilt the fence in front of the First Church of Christ Congregational in Redding. It was all hand-crafted and a labor of love. Years later, he was invited to help rebuild the fence again after time and weather destroyed his handiwork. He was always willing to throw himself into any worthy organization that could bring joy or a helping hand to those in need. While his sons were young and active in school sports, Frank sponsored their teams through the Boys/Girls Club of Redding. He was honored to have the teams he sponsored wear tee shirts with his business name on the back. Frank, until his death, was a very active Lifetime member of the West Redding Fire Department and could always be found either in the kitchen, cooking, or elsewhere about the Department lending a helping hand for and during any activity the Fire Department had going on at the time. He always took his responsibilities seriously and showed up for all meetings and work parties as part of his dedication to duty. He loved the Department and was a member for over 35-years. For 20-years he served his Department as Treasurer and was also a Fire Commissioner for District 2 in Redding for periods of time. This kind man belonged to many fishing and hunting groups, always with the thought in mind that he was part of the earth. He was a skilled and avid fisherman. He was respectful of rivers, streams and lakes and never took the life of any animal out of cruelty or perverseness. He taught his sons to hunt with respect for animal life and to fish and hunt with the thought of putting food on the table. A few of the groups he belonged to were the Stamford Fish and Game, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Bridgewater Fish and Game, The Rainbow Club, Salt Water Sports, and Pootatuck Archery. Frank also volunteered and worked for the Town of Redding for over 26-years and served as Chairman of the Redding Board of Tax Review and Appeal for many years. He was first appointed to fill a vacancy in 1980 and was elected thereafter until he retired in 2007. He also donated his time and carpentry work free of charge to anyone who had questions about their homes, who had leaky roofs, or those folks who were in need. He was generous with his woodworking skills and always helped out where he could. As part of his dedication to nature and love of all things beautiful surrounding him, Frank joined the Candlewood Camera Club of Danbury. He was given a camera by his wife to keep him truly busy and he turned that lens to the out-of-doors, as well as family, taking pictures of flora and fauna wherever he could. The house soon filled up with hundreds of envelopes of pictures, slides of nature, and eventually hand-made frames to display his photographic artistry. He had the eye of the artist, but thankfully, not the temperament. Frank exhibited his work at various photography club venues and over time consistently won 1st or 2nd place for his creative photos of nature. He also was a semi-professional photographer who "shot" family weddings and events. He graduated from Staples High School in 1959. His favorite subjects were, of course, Shop and Automotive, and he was adept at both. It took him 5-years after graduation to work his way through the journeyman level of carpentry, working for W. Punzelt of Westport, to achieve full status of "carpenter." Moving along after Mr. Punzelt, Frank worked for Charles Griffith of Westport, until December 1968, when Frank and his wife began building their home in Redding. This was a dream for both of them and in 1970 they moved into their partially-built home which Frank finally completed soon after. In his early 20's he also graduated from Bullard-Tech in Bridgeport, having taken numerous courses for Blueprint Making, Drafting, Estimating, and Cost Control as preparatory for him eventually achieving his ultimate dream. One of Frank's dreams was to have his own carpentry business and this was started in 1970 when he began The Country Craftsman. Over the years, until he retired in 2007 due to illness, he worked on many homes in this area and made many, many friends. He was very quiet and soft-spoken and earned the respect of all those he came into contact with. He was so particular in his work that he always said measure twice, cut once', and that was his mantra. Years before his death, he had achieved status as a Master Carpenter, a true old-fashioned Yankee New England craftsman. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and two sons, Steven Kokoska and his wife, Mary in Newtown; Matthew Kokoska and his wife, Heidi, and Calli Kokoska, his granddaughter in Southington. He also is one of nine children and is survived by eight brothers and sisters; Fran Johnson in Missouri; Dorothy Bellefeuille and husband Richard in Easton; Patty Palmer and husband Robert in Maryland; John Kokoska and wife Joan in Pennsylvania; Maryann Belta and husband Greg in Westport; Rose Corr in Fairfield; Carol Kokoska in Maine; and Thomas Kokoska and wife Suzie in Newtown. Also, numerous cousins, brothers-in-laws, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was pre-deceased by his mother, Rose Kokoska and father, Francis Kokoska. There will be a wake Friday, December 5th, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bouton Funeral Home on Church Street in Georgetown/Wilton, CT., phone number: 203-544-8461. A High Mass will be said on Saturday, December 6th, at 10:00 a.m. from Saint Patrick's Church on Route 58, Black Rock Turnpike, phone number 203-938-2253. Immediately after, there will be a celebratory Brunch. Those attending the services, friends and family are invited to attend. Flowers may be sent to Bouton Funeral Home or donations sent to the West Redding Fire Department or to the Alzheimer's Association.