Frank Joest

1933 - 2023

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

He led an adventurous, full life. He was born in Ridgewood, N.Y., 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, N.Y., 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 William Watson Associates.

He joined the U.S. 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 CIA 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. While there, he became a juried member of the Guild of American Paper Cutters, and a member of the Pocono Arts Council, Stroudsburg.

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 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; nephew, Frank Paschke; and numerous relatives around the world.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing for Frank from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Howell-Lussi Funeral Home Inc., 509 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston. A service will begin at 7 p.m. at the funeral home with military honors to follow. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

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