Obituary of Frank P. Joest

Frank P. Joest, 90, of East Stroudsburg, who was an artist, carpenter and writer passed away Wednesday December 13th, 2023 after a brief illness.  

He led an adventurous full life.  He was born in Ridgewood, NY in 1933 to Frank and Margarite Joest and was raised with his sister Margot.  He was a very talented athlete; playing football, basketball, stickball and softball.  He graduated from Music and Art in Harlem, majoring in Art.  Frank attended Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY for Commercial Art.  He received a Pedagogie Degree from the University of Creative Arts, Berlin, Germany.  He attended the Academy of Creative Arts Karlsurle, Germany for graphic design.  He received a fellowship from the Georgio Cini Foundation, Venice, Italy.  He worked in various art jobs, as a letter designer. He also worked at Mergenthler Lenograph as a graphic artist assistant for Donald Deshery Associates and also William Watson Associates.  

He joined the United States Navy in 1952 for four years with 36 months sea duty aboard a DE’s DD during the Korean War.  He was discharged from the Navy as a Second Class Radioman.  He received the Good Conduct Medal and the China Medal.  

While attending Art school in Germany he met and married his first wife Georgie Walters.  While he was there he was recruited by the C.I.A. and was stationed in Berlin, Miami, and Washington D.C.  After retiring, they moved from Washington D.C. and built a home in Pocono Highland Lake Estates, East Stroudsburg, PA.  While there, he became a juried member of the Guild of American Paper Cutters, and also a member of the Pocono Arts Council, Stroudsburg, PA.

 In 1971  Frank and Georgie opened a Personal Care Home and ran it together until Georgie’s death in 1999.  Frank continued to run the business.  When he met Gail Biscotto, she became the manager of the home.  Frank and Gail got married in 2003 and ran the home until they both retired in 2005.

 Frank and Gail enjoyed traveling, cruising and dancing.  Frank was larger than life and will be deeply missed by all who loved him, especially his wife Gail who was his perfect partner.

 In addition to his first wife Georgie and his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his sister Margot Paschke.  Surviving are his wife Gail and his extended family; Sam Biscotto and his wife Penny and children Jennifer Biscotto (Scott Hall), Charlie Biscotto (Cristin Strining), and Sam Biscotto (Linda Lour).  Lisa Gillespie and her husband Joe and daughter Erica Gillespie-Bartoli ( Bob Bartoli) and children R.J. And Joey.  Kim Biscotto and partner Mike Neishell and sons Jamie Searfoss ( Brittany Reyrat) and Justin Searfoss.  His nephew Frank Paschke and numerous relatives around the world. 

 Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing for Frank on Monday, December 18, 2023 from 4 PM until 7 PM at the Howell – Lussi Funeral Home Inc., 509 Wyoming Ave., West West Pittston.   A service will begin at 7 PM at the funeral home with military honors to follow in interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family. 

 In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the United Methodist Church Pittston, 30 Broad St., Pittston, PA 18640 or the Hughes Library, 1102 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360.