July 13, 1939 – December 2, 2023
In loving memory ~
The family of Dick Mamoru Kozuki are deeply saddened to announce his passing on the morning of Saturday, December 2, 2023 at his home in Williams Lake. Dick was a long-time resident of Williams Lake. He was born in Vancouver, BC to parents Fred & Lily Kozuki. At the age of three years old, the family moved to Williams Lake during WWII. Williams Lake was his cherished home and community, where he grew up, and created his life for 84 years.
As a teenager, Dick was very fond of cars and trucks and spent countless hours working on his and his friend’s vehicles and cruising around town, this was when many life-long friendships were made. This passion led him to build hot rods and race his stock car at the local track near the old drive-in movie theatre. During his last two years of high school, he began his schooling in the mechanic trade and worked at Beath Motors the local Ford dealership. He was always a “Ford” man. After he graduated from the Williams Lake Junior-Senior High School in 1959, he went on to complete his auto and heavy-duty mechanic certification in Edmonton, Alberta. Returning home he completed his apprenticeship at the local Esso station under Mr. Hugo Stahl.
In 1962 he married Karen Ruth Moen, and together had three children, Kerry, Leslie & Krista. In 1966 Dick partnered with Walter Zirinski and opened the WL Foreign Car Center, a Datsun/Nissan dealership on Mackenzie Avenue. He continued to operate Foreign Car Center for many years and then founded Yamaha Country in the late 1970’s. Sadly, Karen passed away in 1973 leaving him to raise his young children.
In 1975 Dick re-married to Patricia Robillard and his fourth child, Kenny Richard was born in 1978. In the mid-1980s he returned to his trade in heavy duty mechanics at Inland Kenworth and also became a commercial vehicle inspector. In 1987 he met Diny Erdbecker, who was his partner and love for the next thirty-plus years.
Dick joined the WL Volunteer Fire Department in 1968. He loved the comradery it created and was proud to be an honorary member. Among his many hobbies, Dick achieved his private pilot’s licence in 1977 and logged hundreds of hours flying in and around the Cariboo-Chilcotin loving the freedom of taking-off in his Cessna Super Cub where he would land on fishing lakes or just spending time viewing the beauty of the Cariboo.
He was especially known for his love of fishing and spending time in the outdoors, an expert at tying flies and knowing where and when the “bite was on”. As an avid fisherman, no matter the weather, he was determined to go fishing in all four seasons which he did until his health would not allow. His smoked fish was a speciality and he proudly shared it with everyone. He enjoyed many years of fall hunting trips with so many good friends. Gardening was another passion he had, and year after year he grew a beautiful and bountiful garden generously providing fresh produce to family and friends. For many years after retiring, he travelled south for a few months each winter and enjoyed seeing new sights, the warm sun and meeting new friends.
Dick was a generous, kind and beautiful human who was dearly adored and loved so much by his children, grandchildren, family and many friends. He leaves all of us with many fond memories. He was a proud man and a man of few words; however, his words spoke volumes.
Dick is survived by his children, Kerry Kozuki (Eddy), Leslie Sutton (Gino), Krista (Joe) Niquidet, Ken (Josh) Kozuki; grandchildren, Sheldon Niquidet, Jasmyn (Jordan) Magnuson, Adrian Sutton, Josh Sutton (Jen), brothers Edward (Midori) Kozuki, Roy (Eleanor) Kozuki and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his partner, Diny Erdbecker, parents, Fred and Lily Kozuki, sisters, Freda White, Betty Kozuki and brother Frank Kozuki.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Magnuson, his staff, the ER Nurses, Doctors and Health Care Professionals at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital, and the Home and Community Care Nurses who all provided amazing care and support during the past many months and up to his passing.
A private service will be held at a time in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Williams Lake Salvation Army, an organization that was dear to his heart.
Rest in Peace Dad, we love you and miss you.Obituary-