Father Micah E. Kozoil, retired priest of Diocese of Greensburg, dies at age 75

GREENSBURG — Father Micah E. Kozoil, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, died Nov. 13, 2018, at St. Anne Home, Greensburg. He was 75 and had been a priest for 42 years.

A son of the late Charles and Susan Lacey Kozoil, Father Micah was born in Homestead, Aug. 3, 1943. He attended elementary school at St. Michael Archangel, Munhall, and public high school in Munhall. He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Vincent College and a master's in divinity from Saint Vincent Seminary. He later received a master's in education degree and doctorate in education degree in mathematics at Columbia University, New York City.

He was ordained to the priesthood May 22, 1976, at St. Vincent Archabbey for the Benedictine Order. He served on the Saint Vincent College faculty, teaching mathematics and was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Greensburg May 11, 1994.

In 1991, Father Micah began serving as parochial vicar of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Lower Burrell, and its former chapel in Braeburn. In 1995, he was appointed pastor of the newly created Church of the Resurrection Parish in northern Indiana County with its worship sites at Clymer, Ernest, Heilwood, Glen Campbell and Rossiter.

He also served as pastor of St. Mary (Nativity) Parish, Uniontown (2002-10), pastor of St. Peter Parish, Brownsville, and administrator of St. Cecilia Parish, Grindstone (2010-12). He served as pastor of St. Aloysius Parish, Dunbar, from 2012 until his retirement June 27, 2018.

One of Father Micah's hobbies was embroidering liturgical linens and Mass vestments with Eucharistic symbols, particularly traditional Eastern European Easter basket covers used during Holy Saturday basket blessing services.

He was the past Chaplain of Knights of Columbus Albert Gallatin Assembly, and Chaplain of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association.

Father Micah is survived by two nieces, Catherine Pratt (Nick) of Swissvale, Pa., Susan Buchleitner (Al) of Witaker, Pa., a nephew, Donald Kovac of Glassport, Pa. and their families; an uncle, John "Smokey" Lacey of Ohio, as well as many cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary "Baba" Lacey, his parents, Charles and Susan (Lacey) Kozoil, and sister, Carole Kovac.

Friends will be received at the Stephen R. Haky Funeral Home, Inc., 603 N. Gallatin Ave. Ext., Uniontown, Pa. on Sunday, November 18, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Visitation will be held at St. Aloysius Church, 459 Ranch Rd., Dunbar, Pa., on Monday November 19, from 9:15 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

The Christian Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church with the Most Reverend  Edward C. Malesic, JCL,  Bishop of Greensburg as main celebrant.

Interment will be held at St. Michael Cemetery, Munhall, Pa.

Albert Gallatin Assembly 926 Knights of Columbus will stand guard at the funeral home on Sunday, November 18.

Your personal written tributes and memories are welcomed and encouraged at www.hakyfuneralhome.com .