Obituary for Robert Alan Kozak
Robert Alan Kozak, 69, of McDonald, PA passed away, Thursday, March 16 th , 2023, at St. Clair Hospital, in Pittsburgh. Born July 5 th , 1953, in Utica, NY, he was a son of the late Harold and Eve (Wasilko) Kozak.
Rob lived a very full life. He enjoyed riding his bike, playing records, watching classic tv, dancing at weddings and running his HO trains. He loved helping people and being involved in his community: From helping to get the mail delivered in Utica to ensuring the fire trucks were ready to roll in North Warren. Rob endlessly washed cars, handed out apples, and kept neighborhood watch from dawn to dusk. Yes, he handed out his own tickets to violators of “the law”.
In his later years, he insisted on a daily car ride, good naps and never missing dessert or a late-night sandwich. He had a remarkable ability to sniff out hidden snacks and chocolates. He especially loved the sunroom, where he could peer out over the neighborhood and watch the activities during the day and where he could turn on holiday lights and relax by the Christmas tree. He loved the lights and tree so much that his sister kept it up nearly year-round, changing themes from Valentine's Day to St. Patrick's and Easter.
Most of all, Rob taught all of us about patience and the importance of the little things.
We often worried about Rob as he tried to avoid physicians. Even if you knew something was bothering him, his reply to comments of concern were always the same “I’ll be alright” and today, having died on 3:16, we know that is true for sure. John 3:16
He was a member of St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Dixonville, PA and former member of the North Warren, PA Volunteer Fire Department.
Robert will be missed by his siblings: Brian Kozak, of McDonald, PA; Jim Kozak (Grace), of Silver Lake, OH; Joyce Baker, of McDonald, PA; Richard “Rick” Kozak (Elaine), of Rio Rancho, NM; and Ken Kozak (Jeanine), of Uniontown, OH. He will also be remembered by his nieces and nephews: Steven (Danielle) Baker, Hannah (Andrew) Silverman, Ella (Nestor Via Y Rada) Curtiss, Alexandra (Jonnathan) Cucaita, Nicholas Kozak, and Nathaniel Kozak; and three great nieces: Sadie Baker, Eva Cucaita Kozak, andIzabella Via Y Rada.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Fred Baker; and infant great nephew, Rhys Baker.
Friends will be received Wednesday, March 22 nd from 6:00 until 8:00 PM with a Parastas Service at 7:00 PM at Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory, of Clymer: 655 Franklin Street. His funeral service will be Thursday morning at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dixonville, with Fr. Ihor Protsak, celebrant. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cattaraugus Foundation for the Fred P. Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund. https://cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2848
Online condolences may be offered at: rbfh.net
Rob lived a very full life. He enjoyed riding his bike, playing records, watching classic tv, dancing at weddings and running his HO trains. He loved helping people and being involved in his community: From helping to get the mail delivered in Utica to ensuring the fire trucks were ready to roll in North Warren. Rob endlessly washed cars, handed out apples, and kept neighborhood watch from dawn to dusk. Yes, he handed out his own tickets to violators of “the law”.
In his later years, he insisted on a daily car ride, good naps and never missing dessert or a late-night sandwich. He had a remarkable ability to sniff out hidden snacks and chocolates. He especially loved the sunroom, where he could peer out over the neighborhood and watch the activities during the day and where he could turn on holiday lights and relax by the Christmas tree. He loved the lights and tree so much that his sister kept it up nearly year-round, changing themes from Valentine's Day to St. Patrick's and Easter.
Most of all, Rob taught all of us about patience and the importance of the little things.
We often worried about Rob as he tried to avoid physicians. Even if you knew something was bothering him, his reply to comments of concern were always the same “I’ll be alright” and today, having died on 3:16, we know that is true for sure. John 3:16
He was a member of St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Dixonville, PA and former member of the North Warren, PA Volunteer Fire Department.
Robert will be missed by his siblings: Brian Kozak, of McDonald, PA; Jim Kozak (Grace), of Silver Lake, OH; Joyce Baker, of McDonald, PA; Richard “Rick” Kozak (Elaine), of Rio Rancho, NM; and Ken Kozak (Jeanine), of Uniontown, OH. He will also be remembered by his nieces and nephews: Steven (Danielle) Baker, Hannah (Andrew) Silverman, Ella (Nestor Via Y Rada) Curtiss, Alexandra (Jonnathan) Cucaita, Nicholas Kozak, and Nathaniel Kozak; and three great nieces: Sadie Baker, Eva Cucaita Kozak, andIzabella Via Y Rada.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Fred Baker; and infant great nephew, Rhys Baker.
Friends will be received Wednesday, March 22 nd from 6:00 until 8:00 PM with a Parastas Service at 7:00 PM at Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home & Crematory, of Clymer: 655 Franklin Street. His funeral service will be Thursday morning at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dixonville, with Fr. Ihor Protsak, celebrant. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cattaraugus Foundation for the Fred P. Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund. https://cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2848
Online condolences may be offered at: rbfh.net