LISBON FALLS — Dr. Bernard F. Koza passed away at his home in Lisbon Falls on Sunday morning October 2, 2016. He was born March 4, 1939 in Adams, MA, son of the late Ignatius and Helen (Wysocki) Koza. Bud, or Bernie, Buddy or Bunny as he was called in his younger years, graduated from St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Adams Memorial High School in 1957, Holy Cross College in 1961, and Tufts School of Dental Medicine in 1965. He opened his dental practice in Lisbon Falls, ME in 1966 where he served the community for many years until his retirement in 2000. His heart was in his profession and he never turned a patient away. He used his talent to help people without obligation, often accepting canned pickles, pork pies or leg of lamb for services rendered. His greatest joy was his children to whom he devoted his life, along with his wife Veronica, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions and providing them the education to pursue their dreams. He was also very proud of his fifteen grandchildren and the creativity, intelligence and athleticism they’ve shown.

He will be remembered as a strong student, class president, third baseman, quarterback and Senior of the Year in high school; a true Red Sox fan who attended “more games than I can count” while at dental school studying pathology in the bleachers, the town dentist for 34 years, a pianist who played Joplin’s Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag quite well by his own admission, a baseball/softball coach and umpire at several levels of the Lisbon Junior Athletic League and a past-president, an authority on the rules of Babe Ruth baseball, a backyard ice rink builder, a champion for his kids and grandkids at sports events, a trivia and crossword expert, a gardener, a lover of time spent in the Maine woods with family especially at Grace Pond and Kennebago, and a catcher – and eventual releaser – of brook trout on the fly.

He is survived by his wife Veronica (Priestly) of 53 years, his three daughters Mary Beth Bubar of Litchfield ME and her children Zachary, Cameron, Marcus and Allison, Melanie McDonald and her husband Paul of Chandler AZ and their children Jonathan, Cameron and Amanda, Marla Dickinson and her husband Vince of Yarmouth ME and their children Madelyn, Will, and Anna, his three sons Michael Koza and wife Christine of Raymond ME and their sons Brendan and Dylan, Matthew Koza of Yarmouth ME and his son Dominic, Mark Koza and wife Jennifer of East Kingston NH and their children Edward and Margaret, his twin sisters Judith Belanger and husband Bob of Adams MA and their sons Ryan, Mitchell and Russell, and Edith Hamilton and partner Larry Dalpiaz of Carrollton TX, a brother I. John Koza and wife Gail of Webster NY and their sons Jeff and Paul, brothers-in-law Robert Priestly and his wife Joyce of Westford, MA and Timothy Priestly and his partner T.L. Mikesell of Auburn ME, and a sister-in-law Mary Sophie Priestly of Wakefield MA.

He was predeceased by a brother Raymond Koza.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.

To honor Bud’s wishes, a formal service will not be held. He preferred that we come together as friends for a Celebration of Life at the Slovak Club 26 Avery St. in Lisbon Falls on October 22 from 1-5 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Bernard’s memory to: Lisbon Junior Athletic League PO Box 133 Lisbon, ME 04250. Arrangements are under the care of Crosman Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Services 40 Main St. Lisbon Falls.