It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dad Tony Kozic. Although unexpected and way too soon, Tony passed surrounded by love, with his children by his side.
In 1962 at the age of twenty, Tony left his homeland of Croatia to start a new life in Canada. He initially settled in Hinton, AB where he started work in the horse logging industry. There he also met his future wife Donna and together they moved to Quesnel. It was here where they raised their 5 children, Mary-Anne, Darlene, Peter, Leanne and Mark. Quickly earning the reputation as a skilled, hard-worker in the logging industry, Tony also decided to enter the motel business purchasing the Sylvan then Fountain Motels. It was the motel industry where Tony would stay for the next 42 years.
In his spare time Tony enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, and a good pig roast. He also loved returning back home to Croatia where his parents and siblings still lived. He will forever be remembered as a man with a warm smile and a big heart. Many people’s lives were enriched by Tony’s generosity and touched by his kindness. Above all, Tony loved his family and his happiest moments were the family gatherings and times spent with his children and ten grandchildren. A piece of Papa Tony will live on in all of them.
Tony is predeceased by his parents Vojko and Ruza Kozic and nephew Ivo Kozic. He leaves behind his children Mary-Anne (Alistair), Darlene (Gordon), Peter (Jennifer), Leanne (Michael), Mark and Jure and grandchildren Samantha, Cassidy, Colton, Kyle, Madison, Mariah, Austin, Mason, Ava and Nicholas.
The church bells will be ringing in Croatia while we here mourn our loss here.
Friends and family are invited to join us for funeral services at St Anne’s Catholic Church on Monday April 9 at 1pm with interment and memorial tea at St Anne’s hall to follow.