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LEOPOLD JOSEPH KOZIOL (1937-2007) EARLIER THIS YEAR, on 30 January 2007, my father, Leopold Joseph Koziol passed on from this mortal world to another place we sometimes call heaven. The following is a biography of my father that I wrote at the time of his tangi, which was held at our family home on a hot, bright, crisp and clear February day in Nuhaka: "OUR DAD" Biography by Leo Koziol Jr. (Palo) Our dad Leopold Joseph Koziol was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on 13 February 1937, to parents Julian & Julia Koziol. Dad's elder brothers are Frank and Alex, elder sister Veronica, younger brother Joseph and younger sister Helen. Dad's brother Julian Jr. died in a tragic cot death when he was just a baby. All Dad's brothers and sisters still live today in Pittsfield and environs with their children and grandchildren. Dad was raised in a staunch Polish Catholic family in Pittsfield, a New England "company town" where everyone worked at the big General Electric plant. Dad grew up in post-War America, with life revolving around the Family, the Church, the Polish Community Centre and the Boys Club. Dad's favourite hobby was model airplanes. dad remembers the first broadcast of TV live from New York at the Boys Club and planes flying over the town heading off to WWII. Dad met Mum in Los Angeles after venturing forth into the world in his late teens, in 1950s US of A. Dad lived in Boston for a while, apprenticing at the then-new Sheraton Hotel chain. But Dad didn't want to be stuck in an office, so he bought a car and ventured forth on 'Route 66' to the promised land of California. Dad worked in telephones in Los Angeles, installing phones for the rich and famous of Hollywood, including 'Policewoman' Angie Dickinson. Dad met Mum soon after when she was working at a Diner on Santa Monica Boulevard in 1960. Mum recalls Dad asking "Are you a Ma-ori from New Zealand?" Mum was duly impressed, and they headed out to a Beat Cafe in Venice Beach. One year later my sister Jeanine (1962) was born and Philip soon after (1964). Mum describes Dad as her "Tall, handsome Polish 'Catholic' solider boy who followed her to Utah and whom she followed to California in 1961 where they started their family." Mum and Dad had an adventurous life in America in the 1960s. Mum would fly off to Hawaii to perform the Flaming Poi in Waikiki. Dad would take Mum and the kids for numerous road trips across the country, much to Mum's chagrin when Dad would bring his best friend along or when they'd be sleeping under the stars in the High Sierras. Mum got pregnant with me in 1968, and decided she wanted to come home to Nuhaka. Here, my parents recollections of what happened somewhat differ. Mum said she'd decided to go, whether Dad liked it or not. Dad, on the other hand, always told me it was all part of his grand plan to come and live here in Nuhaka Paradise, ever since he spotted kiwi-land in the back page of his Atlas in Catholic Boy's School. My recollection of our Nuhaka family life in the 1970s was a beautiful always sunny place with a strong extended family life (Nanny & Pop, Aunties & Uncles, millions of Cousins) and a close-knit whanau who never went wanting. Jeanine & Phil adjusted to life in "Godzone" and little Leo (me!) grew up a kiwi kid after flying here in Mum's puku. Dad was the Station Master of Nuhaka, and soon cut a character in the village. The station was busy, and Dad was an icon in black t-shirt, black peak cap and cup of coffee, always black. Dad always had a wisecrack, his Yankee accent still echoes over the station yard. We all grew up fast, with Jeanine marrying John in 1983 and giving birth to Ariki (1984) soon after. Their other children are Pita (1988) and Patrick (1996). Phil went off to the army, I went off to University. While at Uni, my son Jordan was born (1990), his Mum Anjelique Repia. Both Phil and I have travelled to see Dad's family in Pittsfield to much love and hospitality, Phil meeting with Grandma "Bapci". Dad doted on all his grandchildren, Jordan was "Whangai" with Mum and Dad when I came home from the USA, when Jordan was 11. I will always treasure the time I spent with dad when I came home in 2001. We would talk and talk all manner of things, like I think we always did when I was one of the "little ones". Four years ago, Dad was hit by a stroke, which affected him greatly, but he soldiered on and took on a new personality in life ("Say Something Nice!"). My Dad had a unique view of the world, and I will always treasure his gift of an enquiring mind, always curious, always something new to learn and experience. Dad had an adventurous spirit, always drifting off on a new path, but he also made sure we were a family that felt secure and provided for, in the good times and in the bad times, we made it through. Dad, you will be sorely missed by us all, and your spirit lives on in the inspiration of your life that now is forever in our hearts. * * * * * * * Leopold Joseph Koziol 13 February 1937 - 30 January 2007
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