Henry Valentine Kozak

Henry V. Kozak, 85, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2008 after a short illness. He was born March 30, 1922 in Buffalo, NY to Valentine and Loretta nee Dombrowski Kozakiewicz. Henry was awarded the Air Medal, a Presidential unit citation, Oak Leaf cluster and Medal of Valor during his service in the Army Air Corp in World War II . As an engineer - gunner on a Liberator bomber, in the Fifth Army Air Force's famous Jolly Rogers, he served 38 missions in the Southwest Pacific. Henry was employed at Bell Helicopter Corporation since 1947 and retired from the engineering dept. in Ft. Worth, Texas. He came to the Port Charlotte area in 1986 to enjoy retirement. Henry was a wonderful chef and had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed spending his time with his family and friends. For more than 50 years, Henry belonged to the Elks Club and was active in the Knights of Columbus, having achieved the level of 4th Degree Knight.

He is survived by his loving family including his wife of 55 years, Christine of Punta Gorda; daughters, Deborah Albert Gray of Fairfax Station, VA; Cynthia Bettis of St Louis, MO; grandchildren, Sarah, John, and Phillip; step grandchildren, Carolyn, Andrew, Angela, and Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Charlotte Sciolino; and brothers, Fred, and Richard Kozak.

The Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2008 at the Kays-Ponger Funeral Home 635 E Marion Ave, Punta Gorda. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 3l, 2008 at the San Antonio Catholic Church, 24445 Rampart Blvd, Pt Charlotte. Burial services will be in Buffalo, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.