Obituary of Virginia (Masto) Kosineski Brach

Mrs. Virginia P. (Masto) Kosineski Brach, 100, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at the Kingsway Arms Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Schenectady, NY.

She was born in McKeesport, PA on February 15, 1922, a daughter of the late Emil and Laura Seymour Masto. She and her family came to Amsterdam, NY during her senior year of high school. Virginia then graduated from the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School.

During World War II, when young men left to serve our country, Virginia proudly stepped forward to fill a vacant role in the Milling Department at General Electric — adding her name to a long list of women across the United States who inspired the legend of “Rosie the Riveter.”

Virginia worked as a receptionist at the former Amsterdam Memorial Hospital for many years. She enjoyed making ceramics and traveling cross country in her RV.

She married George Kosineski, who passed away in 1958. On February 6, 1965, Virginia married Eugene Brach who passed away in 2000.

Virginia was a communicant of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam and St. Kateri Tekawitha Church in Schenectady, NY.

She is survived by her dear son Robert (Pauline) Kosineski of Amsterdam; brother, Paul Masto of Amsterdam and sister, Laura Brach of Ballston Lake, NY; cherished grandchildren Robert (Kathryn) Kosineski, Brian (Christine) Kosineski, Michele (John) Shannon, Denise (James) Plunkett and Brett Kosineski; great-grandchildren, Robert “RJ” Kosineski III, Julia (Michael) Palmerino, Alyssa and David Kosineski, Jack and Mark Shannon, James and Jasper Plunkett, Payton, Paige, and Michael Kosineski; and daughter-in-law Barbara Kosineski of Oak Island, N.C. Innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends also mourn her passing.

She was predeceased by her two sons, Michael and Dennis Kosineski.  She was also predeceased by her siblings, Sarah Stradone, Emil, Howard and Christopher Masto; brothers-in-law, George Stradone and Myron Brach; sisters-in-law,  Palma, Stephanie, Matilda and Patricia Masto.

Virginia’s family would like to thank the staff at Kingsway Arms Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Schenectady for the wonderful care they gave to Virginia over the years.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, December 23, 2022, at 10:00AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 39 St. John St., Amsterdam, NY with The Very Rev. O. Robert Demartinis E.V. as celebrant.  The family will receive relatives and friends prior to the Mass from  9:00 to 9:45AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel  Church.   Interment will  follow  in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ft. Johnson, NY.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or click on www.danafarber.org.   Arrangements have been entrusted to the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010.