David G. Koza's Obituary
Mr. David G. Koza, age 65, passed into the hands of the loving Savior on Monday, March 7, 2016.
He was born in Albion, NY on March 5, 1951, son of the late Donald E. and Margaret (Kludt) Koza. Mr. Koza was raised and educated in the Albion area, attending local schools graduating from Kendall Central High School in 1969. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1973 from Wagner College. Mr. Koza continued his education at Gettysburg Theological Seminary where he received a Master’s of Divinity in 1978. He accepted a position with Central New York Coach where he worked for over fourteen years until their closing. From 1992 until 2006 he held a position with Utica/Rome Bus Co. Lastly he worked with Wade Tour’s in Clinton, NY retiring after 40 years of service, in the transportation industry. Mr. Koza was a thoughtful, beautiful and caring man and was totally dedicated to his Roman Catholic faith which he treasured.
He began his “journey home” to the Catholic Faith after being raised a Lutheran by his parents who taught him to love God and his Holy Word. He then became an Episcopalian but realized after much prayer and discernment that the Catholic Church embodied all that he had longed for in his love for his Savior. He had been preparing himself for the Ordination of service to the Holy Diaconate. He was joyfully looking forward to that day of his ordination as a Deacon in the Catholic Church.
Mr. Koza is survived by nine sisters and brothers-in-law; Nancy Johnson of TX, Michelle Lazo of TX, Laura and Richard Rice of Rochester, NY, Molly and Randy Hoffpauir of TX, Debbie and William McNaughton of MI, Donna and William Berry of AZ, Sharon Alport of OK, Doreen Hall of Rochester, JoAnne Lowe of Albion, NY; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Angela VanWyngarden of Holly, NY, Jessie and Paula Lowe of Kendall, NY and Michael Lowe, John and Cherie Lowe of WY. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and his beloved special friend, Rev. Ronald J. Farchette and members of the Farchette and Ciciarelli families who became his family as well.
Mr. Koza was a faithful and devoted member of St. Joseph / St. Patrick Church in Utica, NY. He was very proud of his memberships at that church, which produced St. Marianne Cope. Mr. Koza was both a lector and Eucharistic minister of that parish. He also assisted the priests at many funerals and was always happy to give himself to his church in the Sacred Liturgy, no matter what the occasion.
In keeping with Mr. Koza’s wishes there will be no public visitation. A Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated for Mr. Koza on Monday, March 14th at 10:00 A.M. at St. Daniels’s Church in Lyncourt, NY. Relatives and friends will be received at the church immediately following the Mass. Interment will take place in Assumption Cemetery in Syracuse at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Road, North Syracuse.
In lieu of floral offerings, donations may be considered to the Franciscan Brothers of the Eternal Word, Irondale, AL. or the Poor Clare Nuns, Hanceville, AL. or the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) of Irondale, AL or perhaps St. Joseph / St. Patrick Church, the home parish of St. Marianne Cope, Utica, NY.
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