Fr. Marko Kozina, 70, a Croatian-born Franciscan friar who came to the United States in 1951 to serve in the Chicago-based Croatian Franciscan Custody of the Holy Family, died Monday, April 21, 2003, of complications related to a stroke, after the amputation of his second leg at the University of Chicago Hospitals.

Fr. Marko had to flee his Croatian homeland in 1945, at the age of 12, when the Communists killed his father. Separated by war from his mother and three sisters he ended up with his grandfather in Austria and from there, in 1946, he went to the Franciscan seminary in Grottamare, Italy, where he finished high school and joined the Franciscan Order in 1950 in Cingly, Italy.
After the Novitiate, in 1951 he arrived in the United States to continue his studies in philosophy in Cleveland, Ohio, and theology at St. Bonaventure University in New York and Teutopolis, Illinois.

After his ordination, as a priest he served in Milwaukee, WI, Ambridge, PA and for more than 30 years in two parishes in Chicago, Sacred Heart and St. Jerome. In the Croatian Franciscan Custody he served on the Custodial Board for three years (1970-1973), and then as Custos-Superior from 1976-1979. He was a member of Croatian Catholic Union of the USA and Canada.

As a child, he experienced the horrors of World War II, suffering and death of young and old, especially when the war ended and the Communists took over. This inspired him later to become a promoter and supporter of Christian charitable activities, especially by helping orphans and needy in areas befallen by wars and catastrophes.

For many years he battled various illnesses, from diabetes, heart diseases, and amputations of both legs below the knees, but he never complained or lost his sense of humor. He used to make people laugh and cry in the same homily, adding always his personal touch in the proclamation of the Word of God.  People loved his homilies and speeches. He will be remembered as a person who always was able to find something positive and cheerful, even in sad situations and events. He left a huge void among the Franciscans of the Custody.
Survivors include two sisters, Mara Bekic and Andja Grubisic, and many nieces and nephews.

Fr. Marko will lie in state on Monday, April 28, at Sacred Heart Church, 2864 E. 96th Street, South Chicago, from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m.   The prayer service will be at 7:00 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, April 29, at St. Jerome's, 2823 S. Princeton Ave., Chicago at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make your contribution to Croatian Franciscan Charities. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Ruzich Funeral Directors 312-791-9700 or 773-723-0877.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the doctors and nurses of the University of Chicago Hospitals and the Dialyses Center in Hyde Park, who took wonderful care of Fr. Marko over many years.

Fr. Marko Puljic, OFM - Custos