JOSEPH KOZAK -

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JOSEPH KOZAK 1936 - 2011 It is with sadness and countless happy memories we announce the passing of Joseph, husband, father and grandfather, after a courageous seven year battle with cancer, at the Boundary Trails Hospital on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 74 years of age. Forever cherishing his memory are his wife Dorothy, his son Ray (Susan), his daughters Cindy (Ken) and Lisa (Rod), his grandchildren Jasmine, Katrina (Jack), Jolene, Jaclyn, Coral, Adam, Devin and Jared. He is also survived by his sister Nellie Leaver (Derek), nieces Catherine, Lisa and families, half-sister Helen Metelski, Dorothy's family Al Hudson (Mercedes), Colleen Thiessen (Will) and their families. He was predeceased by his wife Marian McRae in 2004. Joe and Dorothy met at a dance event and married in 2007. They enjoyed numerous happy moments with each other: travelling, spending quality time with family and friends, dancing, fishing and experiencing life to its fullest during their short time together. Joe was born at Yellow Creek, SK the son of Bohdan and Mary (Ridzuk) Kozak. When he was a few months old, due to family circumstances, he lived with and was raised by his father and his paternal grandparents John and Eudoxia Kozak. As a high school student he managed to travel across the prairies to be reunited with his mother Mary and sisters Nellie and Helen in Ontario. Joe attended high school at Yellow Creek. He went on to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science and from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Education. Joe began his 32 year teaching career at Manitou in 1960, later becoming Vice Principal and then Principal for 15 years at the Nellie McClung Collegiate. In 1987, he wanted a change and transferred to Crystal City where he was Principal for three years. In the fall of 1990, Joe fulfilled a wish to experience the north and travelled to Churchill to teach. From there, he returned to Manitou and taught part time at Nellie McClung Collegiate until taking a full retirement in June of 1992. As a dedicated teacher and high school principal, Joe was admired for his honesty, integrity and sense of fairness. He was patient, kind and touched many lives throughout his career. Joe was well respected by students, parents, colleagues and the community. When he was a child, Joe was fascinated by nature and was introduced to bee-keeping by his grandfather. Later in his life, Joe started a small apiary business as a hobby. Long before it became a trend, he recognized the importance of locally grown food and after retiring he continued with the bees, began growing garlic commercially and also started tapping maple trees to produce Manitoba Maple Syrup. These interests and ideas motivated Joe to organize the Manitou Honey Garlic Maple Syrup Food Festival in 2001 - which still continues today. Joe was proud of his years of membership in the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite and the Pembina Valley Shrine Club. He was a member of the Khartum Temple Vintage Car Unit and enjoyed driving his Chrysler in the parades. He also dedicated his time to organizing and volunteering at La Riviere's Fish Fry which benefited the Shriner's Hospitals. Joe had many hobbies and interests: carpentry, woodworking, gardening, music, soccer, cooking, oil painting and drawing. Of all his hobbies, hunting and fishing were his true passions. Joe looked forward to time spent with his hunting buddies at the valley cabin. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and endeavoured to share his passions, Ukrainian heritage and traditions with them. A Celebration of Joe's life will take place at Manitou United Church at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2011 with Emily Lovell officiating. A private family interment has been planned. The family would like to thank all the Health Care Professionals whose efforts assisted Joe to live life to the fullest, for as long as possible. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children or CancerCare Manitoba. Funeral Home and Crematorium 774-7474 Condolences: www.bardal.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 03, 2011