Richard "Dick" Cozza
Marriages
Joan Harr
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 4D Obituary - May 5, 2019
Dick Cozza, 88, was raised in the Silt/Rifle area and was proud of his Italian heritage. He attended Mesa College and met Joan Harr, who he later married. They had three children, Jay, Ed, and Jan. He was a true patriot who proudly served in the National Guard. He was an amazing athlete who never lost the love for any kind of game, and boy, could he dance! OTA and Little League coaching was a joy of his. He also spent many years officiating football and basketball games. He stands in good company among a select few who were honored in the Colorado Officials (football and basketball) elite. Dick’s life was spent as a relentlessly honest man of integrity. He started Cozza Agency Insurance at the age of 50, where he and Jan ran it together. He served his devoted clients (mostly farm and ranch) well and out of them came countless friendships. For the last few years he continued to serve them (right up until the end) through the Rifle Insurance Agency alongside his dear friend, Jack Sours. Some of his passions were pulling his kids and their friends behind the boat at Highline Lake. He was also an accomplished solemn skier playing (literally) any game of cards, doing the daily crosswords (in pen), fishing of any kind, being an ethical hunter, devouring books, being a life time member of both the Elks and the NRA, cutting and polishing rocks, and training his 14 Labradors throughout the years to be primed for duck hunting season. The greatest of all of his passions/talents was his love for running the river, Ruby Canyon and the Gore cabin especially. He logged every trip since 1970! He built his own 19foot jet boat with the help of his mentor and friend, Arnold Feller. In regards to how he learned to navigate the Colorado River his standard answer was always, "my boat’sgreen paint is on every rock from Snooks Bottom to the Utah line, and probably most of it near Kukulan’s Island at the duck blind, it’s how you learn!" He was famous for his ability to run the river and he did a variety of rescues. Many great memories were made there with his "river runnin’ friends": the Bullards, Petersons, Ely, Kimball, son-in-law, Stan Martinez, and his best friend in the world, "Too Tall" (Geary) Hall. A tougher man few will ever know, totally fearless, and two hundred percent determined. At the age of 86 he overcame three (separate) leg amputations in a matter of 22 days. His ultimate goal was to stand again and see his Merrell’s beneath him in long Levis...and by God he did it! He never gave up or backed down. His strength and courage was astounding and prideful beyond explanation. As we told Dr. Steve Gammon, the orthopedic surgeon, "don’t ever underestimate Cozza...because he will prove you wrong." It was with the complete support and dedication of the Restorative Therapy team at Larchwood and their belief in him that he was able to stand again. They made it happen. Dick was also able to return home to his beloved shop many times post-amputations, thanks to his grandson (in-law), Brandon Brown, who he called often to "come get me!"...and Brandon always did. Going home to "cut a rock" was one of his greatest joys in his last couple of years. His sense of humor stayed sharp; never wavering. After his first amputation surgery he told Hannah, "I ordered a great pair of shoes from Cabela’s,you are going to have to send one back." After his last amputation, "well I guess you are going to have to send the other one back now, too." Minutes out of his final surgery he said to son Ed, "Ed, I think you’ve gotten a little taller, but then again, I got a little shorter today." Then, three days before Christmas last year he called to tell Jan, "The Salvation Army brought me a Christmas gift...socks. What were they thinking, who does that?! Socks for a legless man!" He was a humorous, brave heart right up until his last breath. "Family" to Dick was never defined solely by blood. He instilled in his family the importance of loving and appreciating those who have loved us in return. He is survived by countless friends who were no doubt, to him, family. All of you who have shared in his adventures, passions, celebrations, and alongside him during his hardships...you know who you are. For that, we are forever grateful and honored to have had you share in his life. Cozza adored every one of you! Survivors include his sons, Jay and Ed (Mary); daughter, Jan; granddaughter, Hannah (Brandon); the Harmon (Smith) family, and his dog, Bear. Per his wishes, there will be no services. He would instead tell you to "think happy thoughts" when you see something that reminds you of him. In lieu of flowers or donations, go out and do something that makes someone else’s day: give a compliment to a stranger or make someone smile or laugh. That was his mission in life and one where he always succeeded. It surely is a piece of his legacy that he has left for us to carry on in his place. A monument has been placed for him in the Blacks Rocks, compliments of Mark Peterson, a driftwood cross...Dick would have loved it!
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 4D Obituary - May 5, 2019
Dad, You always had a standard comment after every excursion, usually said on the off-ramp headed east on I-70. We did the check: hubs out, lights and brakes plugged in and working, everything strapped down and the winchdawg locked in place, nothing to blow out while traveling...you always said, "another round trip". I should have counted! Hey Dad-I will carry your wisdom, our countless hours together, all the many things you taught me, and your laughter constantly. I say to you Cozza, my hero: "another round trip". Thanks for letting me join you on the ride. "If you’ve been thinkin’ you were all that you’ve got, Then don’t feel alone anymore. Cause’ when we are together, then you’ve got a lot, ’Cause I am the river and you are the shore. And it goes on and on, watching the river run, Further and further from things that we’ve done, Leaving them one by one. And we have just begun, watching the river run. Listening and learning and yearning. Run, river, run." -Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, November 1971 Love, Your "Favorite Daughter" I will be lost without you, Balto!
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 4D Obituary - May 5, 2019
To My Very Favorite Old Guy, Boy, for only having one go at being a grandpa, you nailed all that encompassed that title for 29 years. What more could I have ever asked for? The wisdom and memories you have left for me, I will forever carry in my heart: Farkle games, you teaching me the value of taking a mid-morning nap, reading "the funnys", dates to Graff Diary, road trips to Rifle, 24 consecutive years of Rock Shows together, chiminea fires and late night chats, spray bottle art on the concrete of summer evenings, teaching me to golf, cutting and polishing rocks, being your boat hand (while on land as it sat in the driveway, mind you), mornings at the agency, measuring my height on the shop door chart (even if it had only been a couple of weeks since the last time, you always measured anyways), and you letting me help train the Labradors with you...however, you always had to train me more than them so that I didn’tmess up your "duck dogs"-oh the patience you had! The memories are endless, thank for every one of them. I will see your smile (gosh, that smile of yours was like none other) when I am missing you, I will feel your arms around me and your "love taps" in times I need you close, and I will hear your voice telling me "you are my very favorite person" when I need a gentle reminder and encouragement. I say back to you grandpa, "you are my very favorite person too"...and always will be. I was the lucky one. Come see me the first chance you get...and don’t forget to always "hurry back". I love you. Love Your One and Only, "Very Favorite Grandkid"
