Obituary of Barry Kozak
It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of Barry Wayne Kozak announce his passing on Wednesday, December 25th, 2024.
Barry was born in Theodore Hospital on June 17, 1952 to Mike and Alice Kozak of the Theodore district. Raised on the farm, Barry began helping with the chores and field work at a very young age which instilled in him a deep love of the farm and a very strong work ethic that lasted throughout his whole life. Along with farming he always had another full-time job. He worked for family, friends and neighbors in the area helping with seeding, haying and harvest wherever he could lend a hand. In his adult years he worked for Firestone, Morris Rod Weeder, Shell Fuel, Theodore Co-op and the Theodore School as the custodian. However, Barry found the most enjoyment driving school bus for 50 years off and on until retirement in 2021.
In 1972 Barry married his high school sweetheart, Connie Nesbitt and moved to Yorkton where he worked full time and farmed on weekends. The birth of his first son Wayne in 1977 and then David in 1981 were his greatest joys. In the spring of 1981, he moved the family back to the Theodore area to reside on the family farm where he was truly the happiest. Barry had a great fondness for all animals with a special spot for his horses of which he always had 3 or 4. He loved to take his horses on wagon treks and soon had his boys in the buggy or in the saddle when they were old enough. Barry always had a love for the outdoors including fishing, hunting and camping with his family and friends.
In 2005 due to health issues, he gave up the cattle but continued to grain farm for a short while before renting out the land. Retirement, as Barry discovered, was not all that bad. He continued to make hay for his horses and finally had the time to take some long overdue holidays with his wife. They enjoyed many trips to Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Phoenix along with many camping and fishing holidays.
In 2019 Barry’s health issues returned, but thanks to efforts of the doctors in the Cardiac Care Unit at the Regina General Hospital he was able to return home and continue on with his life, still enjoying the things that made him happy.
Barry passed away on December 25, 2024, in the Yorkton Regional Hospital with his family at his side.
He is predeceased by his parents, Mike and Alice Kozak, his younger brother Nestor and his oldest son Wayne. Barry is survived by his wife Connie of 52 years, his son David (Lara), brother Linus, and sister Kim (Ray). Along with many nephews, nieces and cousins, brother-in-law Allan Nesbitt (Connie), sister-in-law Merla Lenuik (Rod), and a very special friend Johnny Beaton (Anne).
He will be missed by all who knew him.
Vichnaya Pamyat ! – Eternal Memory !
