John Kozin

1970 - 2024

John Kozin
11/2022024
The light in many people's lives grew dim on November 20, 2024, when John "Ivan" Bohdan Kozin left this world. Born in New Haven on June 6, 1970, John made Bohdan and Marilyn Kozin first time parents. He graduated from Eli Whitney High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Southern Connecticut State University, where he worked as a computer systems engineer for 24 years.
John was proud to have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, which prepared him well in leading a life of service to others. He was a leader of Boy Scout Troop 401, where he taught courses in snorkeling, knot tying and cartography to support scouts in their efforts to earn merit badges. John was an avid toy collector, mostly GI Joe and Lego, and organized toy shows that brought hundreds of people from all over Connecticut and the northeast. John's collecting hobbies brought him all over the country, enabling him to do what he loved, travel. He loved visiting national parks to get stamps in his National Parks passport. John's favorite place to be was out in nature either camping or hiking.
His other favorite place to be was in the kitchen. He had a special way of using spices to make anything taste good- including the food at Yale New Haven Hospital during his long stay. He loved to experiment with flavors, different dishes and would spend a weekend cooking up delicious meals for family and friends. He was known for his red wine sangria, chili, Hawaiian pork skewers, cream of mushroom soup, and Greek chicken meatballs with tzatziki.
John also had a special talent for giving gifts that reflected his thoughtfulness and creativity. He would go to great lengths to search for the perfect gift and if he could not find it, he would make it. Christmas was his Superbowl of gift giving, when he would rise to the level of Father Christmas for his family.
John always enjoyed a good thunderstorm, going to Renaissance Fairs, seeing Christmas lights, a glass of Jack Daniels, the smell of pine needles, designing and building anything, a glass of cold milk with dessert.
Best known for being a good friend, John gave the warmest hugs and loved to celebrate the joys of other people's lives. He was kind and caring, quick with a joke and a laugh, and did the finest impression of Cartman from South Park.
He was a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Irish American Community Center in East Haven.
John will be greatly missed by his father, Bohdan "Bob" Kozin of New Haven, sisters, Jacqueline Kozin of East Hartford and Christine Kozin of Woodbridge. John took his role as son and big brother seriously, providing the greatest love and support to his parents and two sisters that are rare to find. He was predeceased by his traveling partner, his mother, Marilyn Kozin. He also leaves behind a large group of cousins who he grew up with and were like another set of siblings, as well as friends from all parts of his life that he treated like family.
John was the model of courage, hope, grit and strength of spirit as he endured four years of heart health challenges after surviving Covid-19. The Kozin family would like to thank the Yale LVAD Center for the amazing care they provided throughout his life with an LVAD, in particular Maureen Kennedy, Janis Wearing, Lisa Crowther, Sharon Madore, Dr. Ahmad, Dr. Sen and Dr. Maulion. John's family would also like to thank vascular surgeon, Dr. Chaar, for his expertise and kindness. Greatest appreciation and gratitude go to the teams that cared for John this last year - his dialysis nurse, Alejandro AKA "Sweet Potato" and the amazing nursing staff of Yale New Haven Hospital's 5-2 cardiac unit, in particular Sean, JR, Shannon, Monica, Alice, Jessica, Rachel, and the many others who gave him comfort. We appreciate the work all of you do, and thank you for making a difference during the most challenging time of John's life.
Family and friends are welcome to join the Kozin family for a celebration of John's life at a visitation on Monday, November 25th, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm St., Wallingford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Msgr. John Georgia on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish - St. Bernadette Church, 385 Townsend Ave., New Haven. All are asked to meet directly at the church. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
John has requested that his life be celebrated with the same zany zeal and zest that he lived. Don't wait to act on your dreams, move in their direction today.
Donations in John's memory may be made to Troop 401 in East Haven or the National Parks Foundation.
To leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.BaileyCares.com .