Gerald J. Kozak, 74, led Family & Children's Service of Niagara for 21 years

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• By Anne Neville

 

• Jun 24, 2020 Updated Jun 26, 2020

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By Anne Neville

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July 15, 1945 – June 10, 2020

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Family was everything to Gerald J. Kozak, both personally and professionally.

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"My Dad was the most caring and selfless person I’ve ever known," said his son, David Kozak. "His deep devotion to and love of his family, as well as his constant desire to help others, were easily apparent in everything he did."

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Hired as executive director of Family & Children's Service of Niagara in 1976, Mr. Kozak's title was later changed to president and CEO as he led the agency from a staff of 11 and a budget of $150,000 to a staff of more than 70 and an annual budget of $2.5 million.

Mr. Kozak, known as Jerry, died unexpectedly of natural causes June 10 in Phoenix, where he had moved in 1997 to be closer to family. He was 74.

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Mr. Kozak was born in Kaisertown, the youngest of four children born to Stanley and Anne Swiatek Kozak. He was a 1963 graduate of Bishop Timon High School. In 1967, he earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Gannon University in Erie, Pa.

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He and Francine Chlebowski met as teenagers through the Catholic Youth Organization of St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Kaisertown. They became high school sweethearts and were married in the church on June 10, 1967.

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Mr. Kozak served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970, mostly at Kishine Barracks Army Base in Japan, where he worked with soldiers who had been injured and traumatized in Vietnam. Mrs. Kozak, who has worked as a nurse for more than 50 years, was a civilian nurse in the burn treatment center of the 106th General Hospital on the base.

After his service, the Kozaks returned to Buffalo, settling in North Tonawanda in 1973. In 1971, he earned a master's degree in social work from the University at Buffalo and worked in social services at Buffalo General Hospital, Child & Family Services in Buffalo and in private practice with a local psychiatrist.

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In 1976, Mr. Kozak was hired by Family & Children's Service of Niagara, where he guided the agency's growth for 21 years. Among other innovations, he established the first Family Resource Center in Western New York in the Newfane Central School district. He was also recognized for his work in the PASSAGE Program, which assisted victims of domestic violence and child and elder abuse.

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Through the years, Mr. Kozak addressed audiences on such topics as drug abuse, parenting, juvenile crime and how stress affects families. He also spoke about the work of his agency, which began in 1895 as the Charity Organization Society and provided services to strengthen families, including counseling, crisis and outreach services,

prevention of violence against women, children and the elderly, and oversight of foster and adoptive placements.

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In 1979, Mr. Kozak received the Rita A. Mulligan Award from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Niagara County for his outstanding service to children from single-parent families. In 1996, he was named Social Worker of the Year by the Western New York Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and also received the Professionalism in Mental Health Award from the Mental Health Association of Niagara County, for which he had served as a board member.

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In 1997, he received an award from the United Way of Niagara for outstanding service, dedication and commitment to the betterment of local families. He was described as "a bridge-builder of understanding and ambassador of good will."

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He was a Certified Social Worker and a member of the Association of Certified Social Workers.

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In 1997, he moved to Phoenix, where he worked for Child Protective Services from 1998 to 2010, first as an investigator, then as a supervisor and trainer. After retirement, he volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children and was active in a youth mentorship program.

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In 1998, Family & Children's Service of Niagara created the Gerald J. Kozak Community Partnership Award to honor Mr. Kozak, "who was known for his vision and leadership in Niagara County during his tenure," according to the agency.  In 2018, the agency changed its name to Pinnacle Community Services.

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David Kozak said his father was "devoted to his entire family" and "a supportive and fun-loving friend to many people."

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An avid fan of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, Mr. Kozak enjoyed traveling. He and his wife visited many states, national and state parks and Disney World, as well as several foreign countries. The couple spent many summers at Long Beach in Wainfleet, Ont., first as renters and then in their own lakefront summer home.

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In addition to his wife of 53 years and his son, Mr. Kozak is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Lutton; a brother, Donald Kozak; a sister, Audrey Niewiemski; four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

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A memorial service will be held at a later date.