Obituary of Walter Kozey

KOZEY - Walter Kozey entered into eternal rest on December 23, 2008 at the age of 86. Walter was born on June 16, 1922 to John and Anne (nee Harasymuik) Kozey, on a farm in the Goodeve district. He worked on the family farm and for neighbouring farmers until his early adult hood. In 1942 he joined the Canadian Armed Forces and was sent of to Esquimalt, British Columbia for training and when the war ended he returned to the family farm. On September 21, 1947, he married Sophie Semchak, who had immigrated from the Ukraine and together they started their married life on a farm three and one half miles south of Jasmin. They were blessed with 5 children, their daughter Ann (Mike) Daneluk of Yorkton, and four sons, Ostap (late Sonja) of Melville, Dan (Joyce) of St. Albert, Mervin (Clair) of Fort Saskatchewan and Andy (Pat) of White City. They continued farming and living on the farm until the fall of 1957 at which time they moved their house into the town of Jasmin. In addition to working the farm he got a job with the Department of Highways where he worked until the early seventies. In 1972 they sold the farm and he was a full time grader operator for the Ituna Bon Accord. In 1974, once again they decided to move the house and this time to Ituna where Walter got a job as a maintenance man at St. Anne's Orphanage and later on at the Co-op Lumber Yard as a salesperson. He continued his employment there until he got full time permanent work at the Ituna Union Hospital as their maintenance man. He enjoyed his work at the hospital and took great pride in keeping the grounds immaculate and everything in tip top shape. He worked here until his retirement in 1987. Through out his life, Walter was a very loving and giving man always putting his wife and children first. He was extremely dedicated to his faith, parish and to the Legion. He worked tirelessly around the church, the cemetery and in the hall with bingos, weddings and funerals. Walter was predeceased by his birth mother Anne (Harasymuik) in 1927,brother Bill in 1973, father John in 1976, brother Harry in 1981, brother Roman in 1985, brother Orest in 1990,brother Metro in 1995, stepmother Anne in 1997 and sister Mary in 2003. He was also predeceased by his sister-in -law June in 1985, nephew Patrick in 1982, daughter-in-law Sonja in 2002 and great grand son Avery in 2006. Walter is survived by his wife Sophie of 61 years, their children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Prayer services were held on Monday, December 29, 2008 from Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ituna. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 from Holy Ghost Church with Very Rev. Archpriest Peter Wasylenko officiating. Cantor, William Kozey, assisted by members of the Parish Choir, led in the singing of the responses. The crossbearer was Nestor Kozey, the bannerbearers were Ivan Kozey and Nathan Kozey. The interment followed in the Parish Cemetery with Jason, Mitchell, Colin and Richard Kozey, James Curtis and Mike Turchak serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 10:00am, Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church Interment Details Holy Ghost Parish Cemetery - Ituna