Harry Tetsuo Kozuki was born March 16, 1914 in Victoria.
He attended school in Sydney and, after graduating, he and his family moved to Vancouver.
Harry helped out in the grocery store business that his father and brother started which included delivering groceries by bicycle.
He also helped his father in the gardening business.
As Japanese Canadians were being evacuated and interned during the Second World War Harry made the decision to move up to Williams Lake with his brother, Fred, and his family.
Despite the many challenges ahead, Harry faced them with an optimistic attitude, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn new things.
Adapting to his new surroundings, Harry, along with Fred, taught himself how to use a crosscut saw so as to cut and sell firewood, build root cellars, and perform other carpentry work to help support his family.
In 1952, Harry bought a lot on Williams Lake and built a small home. He was employed as a carpenter by his brother and also was skilled as a plumber and electrician.
Later, Harry, a jack-of-all-trades, worked as a partsman for a local dealership.
For leisure, Harry enjoyed curling in both men’s and mixed leagues in the lakecity.
Harry was also an avid fisherman and took many trips to Bella Coola, Quesnel Lake, and Vancouver Island, often taking his nephews with him.
Harry maintained a close relationship with his family and was affectionately known to his nephews and nieces as “Unc.”
He let them learn to drive in his vehicles and paid the price with burnt clutches, smoking tires, and a few dents and scratches in his car.
Throughout the years, Harry added on and upgraded features to his house to create a cozy and comfortable home for himself; one that he continued to enjoy in his retirement years.
Harry enjoyed spending time with all the Kozuki families and took special trips with them to Calgary, Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Disneyland.
Harry was a quiet, gentle, unassuming person. He was a good friend, a supportive brother, and an awesome uncle, great-uncle, and great-great uncle to the Kozuki family and his friends.
Harry’s philosophy in life can be summed up in this quote that was found on his desk
To go on in life
Is just like a test,
Whatever you do-
Always think and try your best.
-- Author Unknown.
Harry was predeceased by his brother, Fred, his nephew, Frank, his niece, Betty, and his parents and other siblings.
Harry is survived by his sister, Fumiko (Moritomo) in Japan, sister-in-law, Lily from Williams Lake, niece Freda (Bill) White and nephews Roy (Eleanor), Dick (Diny), and Ed (Midori) as well as seven great-nieces, seven great-nephews, eight great-great nephews, and one great-great niece.
The family of Harry Kozuki would like to thank all of the people who helped him during his time of need.
We would like to acknowledge the Home Support team, Lifeline, Meals on Wheels, the Red Cross, Dr. Neufeld, the Ambulance Paramedics, the staff in the ER, the nurses at the Dialysis unit, and Dr. Winge-Singh of Kamloops.
There will be no funeral service at his request, however, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation in Harry’s memory.