Michael Kozakewich, age 95, a loving husband, father, grandfather, kind and caring man, passed away on Friday June 17, 2016.

A graveside service will be held 11 am Monday at Dan View Cemetery in Eden with full Military Honors.  

Mr. Kozakewich was born May 18, 1921 in Englewood, New Jersey to the late Julius and Kristina Stanko Kozakewich.  He was a gifted athlete and went to Elon College on a Football scholarship. He interrupted his studies to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He was a turret gunner on a TBF Drummond torpedo bomber aircraft and survived two plane crashes in the Solomons Islands in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he resumed his studies at Elon and graduated in 1949.  Michael taught school for many years in Bloomfield, N.J. and coached football, basketball and baseball.  He married Mary Catherine Hill in 1949, he adored her and they enjoyed many happy years living in Hazlet, N.J. They moved to Eden, NC after retiring.  Michael nursed his loving wife for over 10 years when she became ill. He moved heaven and earth to take care of her, and after her passing he drove around town with a picture of his "honey" taped to his steering wheel. Michael was a loving, generous, hardworking man, who loved his family. He sacrificed his time and energy to help others throughout his life and brought joy to all he knew. He enjoyed life, food, and eating breakfast at Herbie's  each Saturday morning.

Preceding him along with his parents were wife, Mary Catherine Hill Kozakewich; son, Michael Kozakewich, Jr.; sister, Mary Nolen; brothers, Steve and Bill Kozakewich.

Surviving are daughter, Mary Christine Novelli of Greensboro; grandchildren, David Novelli of San Diego, CA, Laura Novelli Martin and husband John of Wilmington, NC and Andrea Kozakewich, Cincinnati, OH.

The family will receive friends from 10 till 10:45 am prior to the service before leaving for the cemetery for the graveside service.

Online condolences may be offered to www.fairfuneralhome.com.