Wagner Family (Friends of family)

Entered December 24, 2016

Dear Chris, Susan and Janine, we are sorry for your loss. You're in our thoughts and prayers. John was a wonderful man with a great sense of humour. Nobody told a joke like he did. Our sincere condelences, the Wagner family.

Debbie Kuether (Niece)

Entered December 24, 2016 from Innisfil

Missing you Onkel Hans and remembering all of the special times we had together with our families. Love you lots xoxo Debbie, Ashley and Emily . Tante Chris, Susan and Janine wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Robert Taylor (Colleague of Susan's)

Entered December 24, 2016 from Toronto

Ich bedaure Ihren Verlust zutiefst und spreche Ihnen mein aufrichtiges Mitgefühl aus.
My deepest sympathy to you for loss. I hope you can look to the past with joy and laughter and to the future with equanimity and optimism.

Bauer Family (Friend)

Entered December 25, 2016 from Mississauga

Hans will be missed by all of us.

Creola Ienna (Long-time Neighbour & Family Friend)

Entered January 4, 2017 from Scarborough

Mr. Koziarsky is the only name I ever called him by. He deserved that respect, and that never waivered. From the time I met him to the day he passed, he continued to grow on me. He allowed me to enter his life ... and I imagine that was no easy feat! Deep down, I know we had a special bond that we truly enjoyed when we saw each other. That is what he gave me and that is what I get to keep forever in my memory of Mr. Koziarsky. So, thank you Mrs. Koziarsky, Susan and Janine for letting me into your lives. I love you all. Creola

Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a life/love can be...where do I start?

These lyrics come to mind as it was one of my father's favorite songs that he'd play or have us play for him on the organ...he was a man of so many hidden talents.

My father was such a romantic at heart-- listening to unrequited love stories through his music. The love that filled his room was constant and unwavering during his fierce 23-day long battle, we faced it together hand in hand—“He fills my soul with so much love, that anywhere I go I'm never lonely— I reach for his hand, it's always there.” And it's been there ever since.

Every time a doctor, nurse or practitioner called my dad's name and/or asked who I was, I've never been prouder to be called the daughter of John Koziarsky. I was blessed that he placed all of his trust in me to advocate on his behalf. I treated every single moment I had with my dad as a precious gift. All of the challenges we faced together, life lessons we were presented and the special moments that we shared, I will forever cherish and carry with me throughout the rest of my life.

The two of us made quite a team of strength and endurance-- I realize now that whatever strength he had left over from his own fight, he would give to me so I could remain strong enough for him. Despite all of our hard-fought efforts, we weren't getting the results and news we had hoped for and he told me that he was trying so hard to do everything right and be courageous. With tear-filled eyes, I took my father into my arms and reassured him that he didn't have to try to be courageous-- that he was in every sense of the word and that he embodied the essence of what true courage means.

Waking up on Christmas Eve Day knowing that my dad's obituary will be appearing in the Toronto Star today causes me to feel such a deep void filled with overwhelming sadness.

Christmas Eve without my father will never be the same...that was our evening.

I wanted to share this story with everyone, so that you might send love and light to my father this Christmas Eve or after reading this story.

After the cardiologists came to speak to us about his heart condition, they were both in such awe of his resilience, determination, strength and willpower to live following such a massive heart attack and subsequent congestive heart failure. And even though we received discouraging news about his heart/lung function, my father did everything in his power to ensure that my birthday wish came true...by surviving that procedure and ensuring that he was there to sing happy birthday and enjoy my birthday cake with all of us. I've posted that precious video footage in the media portion of the site.

Once everyone left, my father allowed himself to be vulnerable with me-- such glimpses were very rare and few and far between over the course of his life. He asked me to go over what the doctors had said with him again and whether they had fixed his heart or not yet. I couldn't bring myself to reveal all the details about his heart being at 35 per cent EF, the collapsed bypass, what percentage all of his arteries were clogged and that they had tried, but were unable to place a stent. My mind was reeling and my heart was breaking, because I also knew how his lungs were failing and his Parkinson's disease was progressing. So instead of succumbing to my own fears and worries, I put on the bravest smile I could conjure up, fought back the tears, kissed his hand and did my best to focus on the positive.

So I began by reassuring him that no matter what the doctors had told us that he was proof of our living miracle and hero and to never ever forget what a good and big heart he had. He seemed taken aback by my comment and responded by saying, "I really do? But mine's broken". I looked him straight in the eyes and told him, "But daddy it gave us so much love and it was such a good and big heart, don't you ever forget that".

My dad the CNN Miracle!!!

If it weren't for my dad's insatiable desire to always have CNN's late-breaking news playing in the background, my mother wouldn't have gone into his room at 2am to tell him to turn down his loud tv.

He had been trying to call out for help and luckily my mom found him in time, so that we could spend the subsequent days filling each other's hearts with so much love and so many heart-warming memories to last a lifetime.

And even though my dad had a full tv subscription, he could barely engage long enough before his CNN would lull him quickly to sleep--- he spoke of how exhausted he always felt and that he yearned for a deep sleep back in his own bed. My father's nights in hospital seemed to be filled with anything but restful sleep-- despite the sad loss I am feeling, I am relieved that he is no longer suffering, finally sleeping deeply and resting peacefully.

My father was the strongest man I know and am beyond grateful for all he has given me and my kids in his lifetime. Words will never be able to express how proud I am to be able to call him my father.
I am at peace with his passing as he fought the ultimate fight and he chose when it was his time to go. 84 years is a long time to be in this world and he lived it to its fullest even with his limitations from Parkinson's and Interstitial Lung Disease. At the end though, it was his massive heart attack together with all the others conditions that just proved to be too much to overcome. He is resting now in peace and that's where he deserves to be.
Family was his life, his grandchildren Megan Crane and Adam Crane were as he said "his 3rd and 4th children". He was a man of very few emotional words but in his last days...he made sure we all knew that that's what he lived for and that is without a doubt understood.
I will always be forever grateful for the most wonderful life he gave me, the strength he showed me, the belief that anything is possible if you set your goals high enough and last but not least, how to be a selfless parent. He will forever be here with me as everything I am today is truly a reflection of who he was.
At this time, especially it being Christmas, I want to celebrate a man who would never allow me to be sad, but rather to be thankful for all the gifts both material and spiritual that a family and loved ones give. So Cheers to a wonderful Holiday Season ahead to all of you...may you have family, friends and love surround you throughout this time. Xo 😘

My dad was often very confused about his surroundings while in hospital and the cardiologist told us to bring some familiar items from home that might serve as a source of comfort to him and help him to re-orientate himself better.

So we brought a lot of framed pictures, that 40-yr-old lime green hair brush among other personal effects and I would play my Oma's tape cassettes with her talking and singing as well as some of his favorite songs...but he had such a vast collection, it was hard to bring/play everything.

In spite of my father's growing weakened state, I know that being in the hospital was such a frightening and alienating experience for his heart and soul and yet he was so stoic about it, rarely ever complained and displayed such acts of bravery each and every day. Every nurse/doctor and practitioner greatly appreciated his humor, uplifting attitude and determination and said what a good patient he was...my admiration for my father only grew more deeply and he became so angelic and endearing in his ways.

I still vividly recall my father turning to me and with such deep longing in his voice and eyes he said, "You know, I really miss my music". I could see how certain songs would soothe his soul and provide him with such peace and comfort as well as pull at his sentimental heart strings. For brief moments, he would be transported to another place-- he was such a nostalgic soul and always longed for his "Heimat".

The songs that I've had added in the media section on this memorial site have such profound meaning to my father, so I thought I would try to add another one of his favorites called, "Sentimental Journey" and take you on one through his music and in the life stories to follow...

I could sense how my dad was growing more and more weary of his fearless and tireless fighting and yet he still was doing everything in his willpower to not give up or let go. It saddened me to see my dad losing interest in so many of the things he formerly enjoyed, including his CNN, which says a lot...but I totally understood.

And even though his ears grew too weary to hear and enjoy his music any longer, we provided my father with his most beautiful symphony in the end...surrounding him with our loving words and embraces as we all watched him taking his final breaths. It was the most beautiful and peaceful last moment we could have ever asked for my father.