BURNELL KOZAK

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BURNELL KOZAK 1922 2007 It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Burnell Kozak of Hazelridge on Friday, October 26 at Beausejour Hospital. Burnell leaves to mourn in passing his beloved wife of 55 years, Jean (nee Kuzyk ); son Gord (Elsie ) and grandchildren, Michael and Angela of Oakville,Ontario as well as many in laws, nieces and nephews. Burnell was the youngest and last surviving of eight children born to Andrew and Francis Kozak. He was born and spent his entire life on the pioneer homestead in Hazelridge and cherished working and living on the homeplace. Burnell enjoyed every aspect of farming but also enjoyed sharing stories of winter jobs he had including bush camps in Northern Ontario, mining in Pickle Lake and Sudbury as well as employment at Canada Packers and Allied Farm Equipment. Burnell was an avid sportsman who not only played hockey and baseball in his youth, he also enjoyed coaching both sports. He was very competitive as a player and coach but was also fair, it was always fun. After the crops were in with the grain in the bins and fields tilled, Dad's interest would turn to hunting. For 55+ years he never missed deer hunting season and rarely did he come home empty handed and without interesting stories of what happened in the bush. Burnell loved animals and for 15 years our beloved Border Collie Snoopy and Dad were inseparable. The livestock and swine raised on the farm were treated as pets, it was always an emotional day when they were shipped off to market. Winter was also a time for Dad to catch up on his reading, especially National Geographic magazines or educating himself with volumes of World Book encyclopedia. If not reading Dad would search for War or Nature documentaries, hockey, baseball or boxing on the satellite dish. In his later years, when working the fields was difficult , Dad with Mom always by his side focused on keeping the yard immaculate, the John Deere riding mower always worked overtime. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed driving 22+ hours every Christmas to Oakville to be with them. Grandpa had to supervise the hunt and chopping of the tree, it became a tradition. He insisted on flying out to attend their high school graduation ceremonies and enjoyed talking to them on the phone hearing stories of their university activities and studies. He was so proud of his grandchildren. Our family would like to like to thank the entire staff at the Beausejour Hospital and especially Dr Nick Van Rensburg for the care and consideration shown to Burnell while in their care. Cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will commence at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 31 at the Transcona Funeral Chapel, 1800 Day Street, service to be conducted by Father Martin Bradbury of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church of Cooks Creek. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Beausejour District Hospital, 151 1st St. South, Box 1178, Beausejour, Manitoba ROE OCO. Transcona Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 29, 2007