SR0458 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0458 LRB096 14759 KXB 29611 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Keith J. Koza of Geneva, who passed away on September 19, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Keith J. Koza was born July 26, 1952, in Hammond, Indiana, the son of John and Carol (Bonior) Koza; he resided in Batavia for most of his childhood and later called Geneva his home; and

WHEREAS, He was a patrol officer for 27 years, serving the Geneva Police Department; he earned a degree from the Culinary Institute of America, which he continued to use throughout his life while cooking for everyone he loved; he began his baking career from the garage of his home in St. Charles until he opened his bakery in Geneva, Konfectionary Kreations, which he operated for one year in 1986; his culinary prowess took over again when he began Koza Kookin' Pig Roasts in 2003, where he served the Kane County area for six years, creating the finest BBQ pork around; and

WHEREAS, He was a graduate of Aurora University with a criminal justice management certificate; for 8 years he served as a reserve officer to the Geneva Police Department before he was hired full-time in June of 1982; during his 27-year service he accomplished a master firearms certification and was a firearms instructor, evidence technician accident investigator (ETAI), court liaison officer, and truck enforcement officer; he also was a non-lethal weapons instructor, and periodically served as officer in charge (OIC) for the department; he also served as chairman for the Employee Advisory Committee for many years; and

WHEREAS, He was an avid traveler and master cruiser with his wife and enjoyed the company of his closest friends; during the fall on Sundays he could be found on the couch, yelling at the TV, watching the Chicago Bears do their best; on summer days he was often on his back porch, listening to the Chicago Cubs, smoking his favorite cigar; he loved to try his hand at golf whenever he had the chance; he always found ways to keep busy, whether working on finishing his "mancave" or tending his garden; his life's motto was to "Live life as you want to live it."; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Keith Koza is survived by his wife, Mary (Collins); his daughter, Katie A. (Mike) Schluter; his son, Jeffrey K. Koza and his girlfriend Christina Lialios; his sister, Kim (Ken) Voo; his brother, Mark Koza; his grandchildren, Kathleen and James Showalter and Isabella Koza; his nephews, Chris Dunn and Tony (Zoe) Dunn; his great-niece and great-nephew, Lucy and Eli Dunn; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ken and Betty Collins; his brothers-in-law, Mike (Heather), Mark (Ann), and Matt (Karen) Collins; and his niece and nephew, Maya and Oscar Collins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Keith Koza; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Keith J. Koza as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.