1943
Vitaly
2023
Vitaly Kozlov
March 30, 1943 — June 17, 2023
WORCESTER - Vitaly Kozlov (born Finkelberg), 80, died on June 17, 2023 at St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester after a brief illness.
Vitaly will be lovingly missed and remembered by his wife of 53 years, Olga Kozlov, and children Slava Kozlov and Michelle Gewandter. He was predeceased by his youngest son, Alexander Kozlov, in 2020. He also leaves behind son-in-law Justin Gewandter and future daughter-in-law Heather Zezeck, and his beloved grandchildren Tavi, Benny, Maxi and Rafi, his sister Lila, cousin Rita and niece Vita and their families.
Vitaly was born in Saratov, Russia in the midst of an evacuation from Ukraine during World War II. In school, he was called “professor” and put his brilliant mind to tutoring fellow students. He played chess competitively and enjoyed summertime at his dacha with its fruit trees and gardens. He earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Novocherkassky Politechnik Institute.
After Slava’s birth, Vitaly was determined to find a better life outside of the Soviet Union, and he, Olga and Slava immigrated to the United States in 1978. He quickly found work as an electrical engineer at Norton Company where he excelled and was nicknamed the “mad Russian genius.” Vitaly loved writing poetry and in his final days published his full work entitled “Before and After” with the time reference to his immigration.
He enjoyed the bridge card game and published some theories of play. He liked Russian history and taught a continuing education class on it at Assumption University. Vitaly also loved the mountains and the sea, classical music, foraging for mushrooms, fruit/vegetable and flower gardening, fishing, visits with his grandchildren and cuddling with the family dog, Sammy.
Family and friends will gather for a graveside funeral service at 10:00 a.m. on June 20, 2023 at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel Sinai, 661 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 ( www.emanuelsinai.org ).
Vitaly will be lovingly missed and remembered by his wife of 53 years, Olga Kozlov, and children Slava Kozlov and Michelle Gewandter. He was predeceased by his youngest son, Alexander Kozlov, in 2020. He also leaves behind son-in-law Justin Gewandter and future daughter-in-law Heather Zezeck, and his beloved grandchildren Tavi, Benny, Maxi and Rafi, his sister Lila, cousin Rita and niece Vita and their families.
Vitaly was born in Saratov, Russia in the midst of an evacuation from Ukraine during World War II. In school, he was called “professor” and put his brilliant mind to tutoring fellow students. He played chess competitively and enjoyed summertime at his dacha with its fruit trees and gardens. He earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Novocherkassky Politechnik Institute.
After Slava’s birth, Vitaly was determined to find a better life outside of the Soviet Union, and he, Olga and Slava immigrated to the United States in 1978. He quickly found work as an electrical engineer at Norton Company where he excelled and was nicknamed the “mad Russian genius.” Vitaly loved writing poetry and in his final days published his full work entitled “Before and After” with the time reference to his immigration.
He enjoyed the bridge card game and published some theories of play. He liked Russian history and taught a continuing education class on it at Assumption University. Vitaly also loved the mountains and the sea, classical music, foraging for mushrooms, fruit/vegetable and flower gardening, fishing, visits with his grandchildren and cuddling with the family dog, Sammy.
Family and friends will gather for a graveside funeral service at 10:00 a.m. on June 20, 2023 at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester. Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel Sinai, 661 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 ( www.emanuelsinai.org ).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vitaly Kozlov, please visit our flower store.
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Tuesday, June 20, 2023
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