Thomas John Kozak

Thomas John Kozak has, as he would say, “left the building.” TJ passed away on May 3, 2025, after two weeks in ICU at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. His death was attributed to an acute respiratory disorder.

He was born in Detroit on March 4, 1953, to Eugene and Genevieve Kozak, and was raised in Grosse Pointe Woods. After graduating Bishop Gallagher High School in 1971, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Detroit where he worked on the Tower yearbook, and his cartoon illustrations appeared in The Varsity News. At a UD communications reunion in 1978 Kath Usitalo spotted Tom across the room and told her dear friend Tania Pratnicki, “I’m going to marry that guy in the black turtleneck.” And in October of 1979 they wed. 

Tom and Kath settled in Grosse Pointe Woods where they raised their incredible children, Graham Thomas and Paige Kathryn. (Fun fact: the kids are named after Detroit’s pre-war Graham-Paige automotive company.) TJ used his tremendous artistic talents in the Detroit automotive advertising industry helping to sell the cars that fascinated him his entire life, and with Kath and the kids published the Great Lakes Gazette, about The Phunn Family traveling and enjoying Michigan. He also did freelance graphic design and co-created the “Grosse Pointe Dogs” comic strip for the Grosse Pointe News.

He shared and fostered the artistic spark in his children, encouraging them to pursue their passions. With Graham, it is a zeal for all things automotive and with Paige, her whimsical creations and joy in the playful.

TJ’s unique and often zany vision was realized in every corner of life, including the family’s vehicles (their Duck Mobile and the splatter painted minivan and Jeep attracted attention that Kath assured the kids was “character-building”), to small gestures like making faces out of fruit for the kids’ breakfasts. He created extravagant set designs for birthday parties and custom cards for family and friends. TJ had a blast working with fellow BGHS alumni creating décor and memorabilia for their 50th class reunion.

His observations of people and life and his love of roadside culture and Americana live through his illustrations in stacks of his ever-present black sketchbooks, and reams of photos.

In 2014 TJ and Kath moved to Blue Skies, their home on Lake Michigan. They loved small town, Upper Peninsula living, and became active with the Naubinway community.

For nearly two decades Tom struggled with mental health issues, but the self-described Master of Ambiance continued to create, from extravagant pizzas to original vehicles of wood, recycled paper sculptures, splatter-painted furniture, cartoons and the neighborhood’s only electric hammock. Friends have shared: “We loved his quirkiness!!” “A fun guy who will be missed.” “Tom’s sense of whimsy was such a joy.” “A beautiful, sensitive, enthusiastic man.” “He was one-of-a-kind and someone I’m glad I got to know.” “To know Tom was to love Tom.”

He so loved and celebrated his family, and was proud of Graham and Paige and their artwork, accomplishments and careers, but also that they are caring beings with inner strength, confidence and derring-do.

Tom is survived by, and will be dearly missed by his wife Kathryn Jean-Usitalo Kozak; daughter Paige Kozak; son Graham (Nina Iaderosa) Kozak and darling granddaughters Julia and Genevieve; in-laws Gordon (Mary Lou) Usitalo; Dennis Usitalo (Mark Forster); Karen (Bill) Strobridge; nephews Kevin Clafton and Austin Strobridge; cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; Kath’s parents Robert and Elsie Usitalo; and Tucker the Wonder Dog.

The family will greet friends at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, May 13 at Sweetest Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, 4440 Russell St., Detroit 48207. A celebratory lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Traverse Bay Humane Society (ltbhs.org) or Sweetest Heart of Mary preservation campaign (preservingsweetestheart.org).