Obituary of Peter R. Kozak

Peter R. Kozak, age 98, passed away at his home in Niskayuna on Friday, March, 21. A son of the late Fred and Anna Kozak, he was born August 18, 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He attended schools in Lynn, Massachusetts graduating from Lynn Classical High School in 1934.. Peter was a graduate of the General Electric Apprentice Program in Lynn as well as a graduate of Lowell institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He married Stephanie Lipski on June 19, 1943. Peter had a long career with GE. During the early years of WW2, he was one of the team of first Americans to work on the aircraft jet engine, at the West Lynn plant, on GE's top secret Whittle engine. As a specialist in equipment and facilities, he planned the layout of GE's motor factory in San Jose, CA in 1946 and the Boston service shop in 1948 where he served as sales manager. In 1956 he set up the Tampa, FL shop and was its first manager. In Schenectady he supervised the selection and installation of production equipment in over 50 electrical repair shops throughout the country. He later travelled extensively in Europe and South America as a machine tool appraiser for GE. He retired in 1982. Peter was a long time member of St. Helens (now St.Kateri) Church, as well as a member of Rotary and Lions Clubs. Peter is survived by two nieces, Kathryn Laschi, Laconia, NH and Phyllis Rohr, Deer River, NY; three great nephews, Matthew Laschi, Roger Deery, and Benjamin Deery; and his caregiver and friend, Gladys Seepersaud, Schenectady, as well as many loyal and loving neighbors. He was predeceased by his wife, Stephanie, in 1996 and his brother, Walter in 2001. Calling hours will be at Jones Funeral Home on Sunday, March 29, 4-6 PM. A funeral mass will be held at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Monday, March 30, at 9:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Hospice or St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, 1803 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12309 in memory of Peter R. Kozak.