August 29, 2011

CHESAPEAKE — Melvin Joseph “Buck” Kozak, 82, peacefully passed away Aug. 29, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 22, 1929 in Norfolk, Va. He graduated from Suffolk High School in 1949 and then attended the University of Richmond on a football scholarship. Buck left school early to enroll in the U.S. Army and served his country in the Korean War. He married Eunice Forehand on Oct. 9, 1955. Buck and Eunice lived in Suffolk until 1970, where Buck was a salesman for the Suffolk Haynes Furniture Store. They then moved their family to Chesapeake and he continued to work for Haynes in both Newport News and Virginia Beach for a total of more than 40 years.

Buck is predeceased by his loving parents, George and Helen Kozak. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eunice Forehand Kozak, along with his three children, Warren Kozak and wife Mary Beth, Martha Benson, and Barry Kozak and wife Elizabeth; four grandchildren, Jessica Yocum, John Benson, Holly Kozak and Morgan Kozak; one great-grandchild, Evie Yocum; and a brother, Norman Kozak and wife Lil.

Buck devoted his life to his wife and children and was a special “Pop” to his grandchildren and great-grandchild. He will be greatly missed by them all.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, at 2 p.m. by Rabbi Arthur Steinberg at Holly Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk, Va. The family will receive friends at the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, Va., on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Temple Sinai, 4401 Hatton Point Road, Portsmouth, VA 23703. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.