Mark "Koz" Koziol

Mark “Koz”was born on April 9, 1968, in Hudson, NY, to his loving mother Amalia Koziol. He moved to Lorain, Ohio and attended Admiral King High School. He enjoyed playing sports, especially football, and met his lifelong friends, his “Inner Circle”. He graduated in 1986, and went on to attend Illinois Valley Community College for two years on a football scholarship before transferring to Youngstown State University, where he played football under Coach Jim Tressel. He graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science. Mark earned his teaching license became an educator in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, where he met the love of his life, Rebecca. After receiving his Master of Education in Educational Administration from Cleveland State University in 2010, he went on to become an Instructional Coach. Mark married his precious love on July 17, 2009 at Nativity BVM in Lorain, Ohio. Their life together was filled with nothing short of adventure, laughter, and loved ones. While Lorain always had Mark’s heart, he easily made himself at home in Cleveland, where his circle continued to grow larger with each passing year. In 2014, Mark was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and was put on the lung transplant list. Determined as ever not to let his diagnosis slow him down, Mark continued living his life, improving his overall health, and shared his story with others going through similar experiences. In the summer of 2015, he and Rebecca loaded the bed of his truck with oxygen tanks and took a road trip, just one example of how a few roadblocks were nothing compared to Mark’s will and love of life. On December 4, 2015, Mark received a single lung transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. He immediately became involved in organizations supporting transplant awareness, such as The Lung Transplant Foundation, Donate Life Ohio, and Pulmonary Fibrosis News, where he wrote a column called “Gonna Live My Life”. He became a well-loved mentor to patients awaiting their own transplants, and kept in touch with them afterwards and spoke on patient panels for doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, sharing his remarkable story alongside his transplant doctor, Dr. Budev. In 2016, Mark and his KozStrong Team participated in the Gift of Life Walk & Run with Donate Life Lifebanc. To this day, his blue KozStrong t-shirts can be seen around town. Mark “Koz” truly lived his life to the fullest. Everyone says their family member lit up a room and was so well known, but it meant something different when applied to Mark. He knew everyone. He had a one of a kind, big personality and an even bigger heart. He impacted the lives of so many people. Known for his summer barbecues, Mark would proudly present his favorite dishes, like his perfectly cooked steak, ribs, and his famous Kozagna. He was the center of his circle of friends, the one to plan Browns game outings, tailgating menus, and the annual Browns away game trip. Mark was a die hard Browns fan. He shared his thoughts, wit, positivity, and genuine heart with everyone, no matter if he knew you for years or had just met you that day, and if you asked for his opinion, you better be prepared to hear it because Mark never held back. He had a way with words, and if you knew him then you know exactly what words were his favorites. His gift of life blessed him, Rebecca, and their beloved dogs, Chloe and Jackson, with many great travels, adventures, and memories. They especially loved their trips to Hawaii, seeing their favorite bands in concert, cooking together, going on road trips and spending time on the back patio together listening to his music. He loved Rebecca with all his heart. They are truly a match made in Heaven. Mark passed away on April 8, 2024, surrounded in love following a sudden onset of PTLD Lymphoma, common in transplant patients. He will be missed beyond measure. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Ann Koziol (Hill), of Cleveland, his sisters Agata Wieladek (Marian), Krystyna Siwierka, and Alina Bobinski, his brother Zygmunt Koziol (Helen), stepdaughter Angela Carmela Bodenstein (Joseph), his grandchildren Isla and Greyson Bodenstein, who lovingly called him Papa Koz. He is the uncle to fourteen nieces and nephews, fifteen great nieces and nephews, and one great-great nephew. Son-in-law to Patricia Hill, and brother-in-law Eric Hill (Elizabeth). He was preceded into death by his beloved mother, Amalia Jozefa Koziol, his brother Zbigniew Koziol, and his dogs Lucy and Carlo. We imagine Mark might say something meaningful, which brings to mind this quote: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.” In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations can be made to lifebanc.org or Safe Harbor Animal Rescue in Vermillion, Ohio, www.safeharboranimalrescue.org.

Mark "Koz" Koziol

April 9, 1968 - April 8, 2024