William J. Kozak

He was a lifelong resident of Philadelphia and Bucks County, PA. He was 83 (although forever 39 if asked his age).

Born September 30, 1941, in Northeast Philadelphia to parents William George Kozak and Dorothy Catherine (Tustin) Kozak, he was the eldest of five Kozak children: Bill, Diane, Joe, Tom, and Michael. As a young child Bill was precocious, mischievous, curious, and a bit naughty. Beloved stories describe the antics Bill would pull that would get him in trouble with the Nuns at school.

Bill attended St. Matthew’s Parish Catholic school in Northeast Philadelphia, along with his siblings. The Kozak home on Princeton Avenue was a source of constant fun, as were summers in North Wildwood and Cape May at the Jersey Shore. Bill attended Father Judge High School in Philadelphia, excelling at sports and debate. He received a scholarship to Villanova University, the first in his family to go to college, majoring in Psychology. He did a brief stint in the Army Reserves in Texas, then returned to education, achieving master’s degrees from Rider University and University of Delaware, along with an Ed. D doctorate degree in education.

Professionally Bill became a schoolteacher at George Washington High School and Dobbins Night School in the Philadelphia School District for 30 years, excelling in teaching history and working with learning disability students and prison inmates. Following a brief retirement in 1999 he returned to school, becoming a School Psychologist in 2000, then joining the Hammonton School District in New Jersey, where he worked for another two decades. Bill retired officially in 2017.

In addition he was a Grand Knight and PA State Deputy in the Knights of Columbus Catholic Fraternal Organization (Council #4215). He also taught driving lessons with dear friend, the late John Fidishun at John’s Auto Store.

Bill met Katherine “Kate” Buffington at a Drexelwood dance in September, 1966. They were married on September 9, 1967, and had four children: daughter Dorothy, son Bill Jr, daughter Kathleen, and son, Michael. The family resided in Northeast Philadelphia, in St. Anselm Parish. They then moved to St. John Evangelist Parish in Morrisville, PA. Summers were again spent in beloved North Wildwood, New Jersey.

Bill and Kate encouraged their children to aim high in education, inspiring them to multiple graduate and professional degrees. Kate and Bill also immensely enjoyed their three grandchildren: Caden Mitchell, Scarlett Snoke and Dash Snoke.

Bill was a lifelong Villanova fan, particularly basketball. He loved diners, ice cream, summers at the beach, swimming in the ocean, Brigantine, NJ real estate, Philadelphia sports (especially the Eagles & Phillies), Atlantic city casinos, the Knights of Columbus (Council #4215), Tastykakes (especially Butterscotch Krimpets), LPRA pool, action, James Bond, mafia and comedy (Animal House) movies, Garden of Eatin’, holidays, and hanging out with friends and family.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William and Dorothy, his wife Kate, younger brothers Joe and Tom Kozak, and maternal aunts Marion and Clare. He is survived by his four children, Dorothy (Shane), Bill (Nadene), Kathleen (Dan) and Michael, his three grandchildren Caden, Scarlett and Dash, his brother Mike, sister Diane and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

A celebration of his life will be held on October 29, 2024, with a viewing for friends and family from 9:30 – 10:30 am, followed by a Catholic mass at 10:30 a.m, both at St. John the Evangelist Church, 752 Big Oak Road, Morrisville, PA 19067.

Interment with military honors will follow immediately afterwards at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please direct contributions in Bill’s memory to Caring For Friends c/o St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.