Obituary: Paul Anthony Kozma, Jr., 95; Raised In Black Rock

The following obituary is from Lesko & Polke Funeral Home:

Beloved husband, father, grandfather (Pop Pop), great grandfather, and cherished friend, Paul Anthony Kozma, Jr. passed away peacefully of natural causes at Spring Meadows Assisted Living, Trumbull, CT, on May 16, 2023, at age 95.

He was born to Theresa Vincze Kozma and Paul Anthony Kozma, Sr. on October 14, 1927, in Bridgeport, CT, and was raised in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. Paul was a loving husband for 42 years to Ethel Angyal Kozma until her passing in June, 1993. He is also predeceased by his parents; parents-in-law, Frank and Ethel Angyal; a sister, Betty Yarkosy; and a twin sister who passed away at birth.

Paul was a graduate of Bassick High School, in Bridgeport where he met his future wife, Ethel Angyal. Paul served in the United States Navy from 1945-1948 on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, in the Submarine Division, and was recently honored for his military service at a veterans' ceremony at Spring Meadows Assisted Living. Paul received the Wartime Service Medal for "his honorable and selfless service in time of war in the Armed Forces of the United States". He was a plastics tool, mold, and die caster, and worked for both Plastic Tooling Aids and Inline Plastics until his retirement, often also working a second job to support his family.

Paul and Ethel moved to Fairfield, CT in 1960, where they raised their six children. He is survived by Pat (Bob) Mooney of Broomfield, CO; Mary(Dan) Walton of Newtown, CT; Jean (Jeff) Benham of Mansfield, TX; David Kozma (Lisa Beattie) of Tucson, AZ; Paul Kozma of Milford, CT; and Michael (JoAnne) Kozma of Fairfield, CT.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kristin Mooney of Westminster, CO; Caitlin Mooney of Somerville, MA; Erica Walton of Winstead, CT; Daniel Walton of Portland, OR; Colleen (Jason) Geel of Southbury, CT; Tara (Leandro) Bonvehi of Warwick, RI; John Benham of Mansfield, TX; Justin (Kourie) Benham of Mansfield, TX; Dee Dee Constanten, Cindy Kozma, Lena Hurrell, Ben Kozma, all of AZ.

Also, his great grandchildren: Alexa Hauck, Addelyn and Ellesyn Geel of CT, Natalie and Dominic Bonvehi of RI, Jodi and Kauri Benham, Aiden Harrell, and Alexis Finn of TX.

Paul was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Fairfield, CT for many years, serving as an usher and volunteering in the weekly collection ministry. Paul was also involved in the St. Thomas Men's League. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and participating in Fairfield Senior Center activities including Casino bus trips and playing billiards. Paul was an avid walker and also enjoyed games of horseshoes. Paul's life of sacrifice, service, and devotion will be cherished and remembered with love by his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched. He will be missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on May 23 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Fairfield. Burial followed at Mt. Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to The American Heart Association via Heart.org for a secure donation link.