Kenneth Alois Kozbiel

Kenneth Alois Kozbiel 1935-2016 Kenneth Alois Kozbiel, CW03 (ret) USCG, age 81, passed away peacefully September 29, 2016, after fighting a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, heart disease, & bladder cancer. Born January 6, 1935 in Milwaukee, WI, he lived in a Polish community; speaking only the Polish language until entering school. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Aloysius S. and Josephine Szczerbiaka Kozbiel and brother, Russell Kozbiel; father and mother- in- law, Vernon and Kathleen Allen; sister and brother- in- law, Nick and Lois Allen Busey. Ken is survived by his wife of 28 years, Nancy Allen Kozbiel; three children, Jeanne and Joe Chianese, Milwaukee, WI, Jim and Brandi Kozbiel, Pensacola, FL, Jeff Kozbiel Aub Dhabi, UEM; three stepchildren, Ron and Jennifer Cook, Robertsdale, AL, Ronda and Keith McNeill, Robertsdale, AL, Regina and Ken White, St Augustine, FL; 13 grandchildren; Michael (Colleen) & Dan Chianese, Milwaukee, WI, Rachael Chianese (Sam) O’Brien, Milwaukee, WI, Hillary & Nick Kozbiel, Sarah (Tyler) Kozbiel Windham, Pensacola, FL, Jordan Williams Las Vegas, NV, Shelby & Dalton Ray, Robertsdale, AL, Aimie McNeill, Pensacola, FL, Ashley & Kyle Moslak, Stephens City, VA, Kai & Emma White St Augustine, FL; 8 great-grandchildren, William, Ana, Emma, Jillian, Bryson, Logan, Aiden, Lillian & 2 more on the way; nephews, Don, Daryl, Russ, Dan Kozbiel; niece, Deanna Kozbiel Kubehl all of WI; sisters- in- law, Maryanne Kozbiel, WI, Thelma & Leon Patrick, Edmond & Evelyn Hare, Jack & Mary Allen, Thomas & Carolyn Allen. Many other nieces, nephew & cousins. Growing up in the Boy Scouts of America, Ken was awarded Eagle Scout, the highest honor. He attended Jamboree at Valley Forge, PA along with 50,000 other scouts. He also had the Award of Broken Arrow, where you are left to survive in the woods alone overnight at the age of 12. Ken served 24.5 years in the United States Coast Guard. While serving his second tour in Vietnam he was one of two military persons chosen to pioneer the program of Physician Assistant. The program was in the development stages and the classes were integrated into the medical student classes. Duke University BS Physician Assistant, Troy University, MS Phycology & Counseling. St Leo University BA Theology, Springhill College, MA Divinity. Ken pioneered the Masters Physician Assistant program at University of South Alabama. He served on the Advisory Board until the program was established. Raised in the Roman Catholic Faith, Ken started at an early age as an Altar Boy attending Mass each morning before school. He attended K-12 @ Notre Dame, Milwaukee, WI, & learned a great respect for the nuns. He entered seminary after graduating high school, however left that calling for the USCG. He entered the Deaconate Program, becoming ordained as a Deacon 1984. He served in that capacity at St Sylvester Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze. Kenneth was honored to serve at the altar with Pope John Paul II, in New Orleans, LA, and Detroit, MI. He enjoyed his practice and was an excellent diagnostician. He worked with Dr. Nell Potter, Monsanto Medical Division, Drs. Henry & David Harden, West Florida Hospital, Drs. Solobian, Council, & Pierce in The Rehabilitation Institution of West Florida, Drs. Llanera, Pain Management. Special thank you to Community Hospice of St Augustine, FL for their wonderful & compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to Covenant Care Alzheimer program. Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, Friday, October 14, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at New Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME NORTH, 1000 Hwy 29S, Cantonment, FL is entrusted with the arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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Kenneth Alois Kozbiel

January 6, 1935 - September 29, 2016