Charles Kozik

Charles (Chuck) Kozik, 91, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

Charles was born on December 15, 1920 and was the son of John and Anna Kozik. He was a lifelong resident of Monessen, and graduated from Monessen High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served from 1941 to 1945. As a first class gunner, he served on several ships, including the LST 600 that transported troops and tanks, the USS Alcoa freighter that hauled cable to the Persian Gulf and the USS Dartmouth tanker that hauled fuel to Gibraltar. He was a member of American Legion Post 659 in Belle Vernon.

Chuck retired in 1972 after 31 years of service from Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corporation's #1 machine shop in Monessen. He also worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, retiring in 1981.

An avid vegetable gardener all of his adult life, he took special pride in his tomato plants, grown from seed. His garden was featured on a WTAE-TV news segment and the subject of several newspaper articles. He loved sharing both his tomato plants and growing secrets with others.

A lifelong lover of music, Chuck organized the Chuck Carlo Polka Band in 1941. He was the lead guitarist and singer for the band. The band name later changed to The Thirsty Five and played for weddings and other functions for many years. He not only continued to play guitar throughout his life, but in later years also took an interest in the violin, banjo, piccolo and especially the steel guitar.

Charles was a member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Monessen, a member of its Brotherhood Chapter, and delighted in singing in the choir. In recent years, he enjoyed attending the Christian Center Church in Belle Vernon.

Charles is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ann (Kudlik) Kozik, along with three children, son Jon and Marie Kozik, daughter Jan Kozik, and daughter Joycelyn and Jeff Vivio, all of Monessen, and two grandchildren, Jonathan Kozik, of Tucson, Arizona, and Alex Maatta, of Monessen.

Friends will be received at the Robert A. Billick Funeral Home, Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue, Monessen, on Thursday, June 5, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Additional viewing will occur on Friday, June 6, at 10 to 11 a.m. at the Christian Center Church prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will take place on Friday at 11 a.m. at Christian Center Church, 130 Charity Lane (318 Ridge Road), Belle Vernon, 724-929-3670. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery.

The American Legion Post 659 will conduct services on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home.

www.billicksfuneralhome.com www.christiancenter.us