Jeffrey Benjamin Kozicki

Jeffrey Benjamin Kozicki - son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, boyfriend and loyal friend - passed away November 4th. At 23, Jeffrey had too short a life for someone so kind, intelligent, talented, handsome, adventurous and funny.

Jeffrey loved family, friends, food and fun; not necessarily in that order. He loved to cook, never using a recipe and was given the nickname Chef Jeff at an early age. He continued using that nickname, when concocting something fabulous on the grill or in the kitchen. Jeffrey was proud to be a Southerner, a graduate of Chamblee HS and an official member of the Bulldog Nation, as an alumnus of the UGA College of Engineering. He recently started work at a job he loved as a Data Systems Engineer at Concurrent.

Jeffrey enjoyed traveling and visited many European countries, Canada, Costa Rica and much of the US. He loved receiving gifts and wrote beautiful thank you notes in return. He was happiest surrounded by people he loved and who loved him. He could be counted on for family events, friend’s birthdays, downtown Athens gatherings or any kind of party. Jeffrey was a big football and basketball fan. An avid player of video games, board games, and poker, he was also known for his competitiveness at party games.

When asked to describe himself, Jeffrey would say, “I’m a big kid”. Big was definitely the right word for Jeffrey, not only in stature but also in heart, Jeffrey made big entrances, never slipping into a room quietly but bursting in with laughter and enthusiasm. He gave big, warm hugs and wanted you to know how much he cared about you and about what you had to say. Conversations with Jeffrey were something to cherish. The big kid in Jeffrey knew no embarrassment, posing for ridiculous photos, making silly faces, singing a little off-key and taking on crazy bets.

Jeffrey was loved by many. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Joe and Adele Waters and is survived by his family: parents, Keith and Leslie Kozicki; brother, Michael Kozicki; grandparents. Grandpa Harry and “Baba” Jennie Kozicki; many Uncles and Aunts: Jimmy Curry, Nina Kalawsky, Olga Amante, Jim and Pam Waters, Vicki Waters-Siefker and Alan Siefker, Richard and Maria Kozicki, Douglas and Beverly Kozicki, Robert and Lisa Kozicki and all of his cousins. He will be especially missed by his girlfriend, Jamie Anne Conway and all of his amazing friends.

Jeffrey loved penguins and was truly concerned for their future. To honor Jeffrey’s love of these endangered aquatic birds, please consider a donation in lieu of flowers to the Jeffrey Kozicki Penguin Fund, Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, 30313 or at www.GeorgiaAquarium.org.

His Memorial Service is scheduled at Patterson-Oglethorpe Hill, 2 PM, Saturday November 14. It will be followed by an off-site Celebration of Life gathering. Directions will be provided at the conclusion of the service.