Anthony Edmund Kozenski (a.k.a. Tony, Faud, Buster, Goingy)

Anthony Edmund Kozenski (a.k.a. Tony, Faud, Buster, Goingy)

Born September 28, 1922

Tony passed away on July 25, 2025, two months shy of his 103rd birthday. He and his younger twin, Wencel, were born to Anton and Theresa (nee: Juracek) Koziczenski, Tony being the eldest of six children. They grew up in a household where Polish was spoken and where art, music, and ingenuity were encouraged. They were the first kids on the block to have coats with zippers, much to the amazement of the neighbors. At age fifteen, Tony took up the game of golf and played for the next 80 years, even while stationed in Morocco, playing on a course near the munitions test site, and losing golf balls in bomb craters that littered the fairways.

As a teen, he tuned up his brother’s Model A Ford automobile blindfolded, honed his art skills, and played boogie woogie on the family piano ‘til the wee hours of the night (much to the irritation of The Girl Across the Street). He graduated from William Horlick High School, where he was a member of the glee club. In December 1942, he enlisted in the armed forces and was assigned to the Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic in the European Theater. There, he kept the 15th Bomb Unit’s B-24 Liberator operational. He painted the nose art on the plane, which bore an uncanny resemblance to The Girl Across the Street.

Upon returning home from the war, he was employed as an Equipment Operator with the City of Racine Parks Department. In the summer, he worked on municipal golf courses and in the winter, he flooded skating rinks. Tony designed a modification to the tractor used to groom the ice, which ultimately saved the life of a coworker when the vehicle broke through the surface at Zoo Pond. On September 13, 1952, he married Mary Auterman (a.k.a. The Girl Across the Street). Together, they raised six children, fostering a love of art, music, critical thinking, and golf. Tony fixed the cars, remodeled the house, taught his children the basics of drawing and painting, and played the piano. Plus, he golfed a lot (much to the irritation of The former Girl Across the Street).

After retirement, he and Mary travelled to Turkey, Switzerland, France, England, Mexico, the Caribbean, and various destinations in the U.S. Mary passed away on August 26, 2017, after nearly 65 years of marriage. For the next seven years, Tony continued living in the family home and proclaimed himself Master of the Microwave and The Great Reheater. In August of 2024, he moved to Primrose Retirement Community where one of his favorite activities was enjoying the live entertainment at happy hour with his daughters. Tony was known for his easy-going nature, sense of humor, artistic ability, inventiveness, and generosity. He loved to learn and was proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

A life-long member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic church, he also belonged to the Commercial Golf League, City of Racine 20 Year Club, and the Geezers painting club.

Tony was loved dearly and will be sadly missed by his children, Dr. Mary Mainland, Theresa (Mustafa) Yundem, Julia (Gregory) Peyton, Stephen (Ann) Kozenski, Matthew (Laura) Kozenski, and Catherine “Katie” (Laurent) Hayoz; grandchildren, Natalie Mainland (Justin Schneider), Ayla Yundem, Jack Peyton, Madi Peyton, Amy (Brayden) Modjeska, Christopher (Skylar) Kozenski, Sarah Kozenski, Emma Hayoz, and Elodie Hayoz; great granddaughter, Marceline Modjeska; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his five siblings, and his son-in-law, Robert Mainland.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Tony’s life will be held at 11:00 am, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, 1903 Green St., Monday, August 4, 2025, with Rev. Craig Richter officiating. Entombment with Full Military Honors will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family at the funeral home for Visitation on Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 1:00 until 3:00 pm, and Monday 10:00 am until the time of Mass at the church. Memorials to St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church or Milwaukee PBS have been suggested by the family.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Primrose Retirement Community, Oakridge Care Center, and Aurora Hospice for excellent care.