Max E. Cozine, USN (Ret) passed away on Friday, January 4, 2013. On November 6 he fell in his shop doing what he loved. He fractured his skull and just couldn’t recover, although he put up a good fight.

He was born on December 27,1918 in Belleville, Kansas to Harold R. Cozine and Edith D. (Lewis) Cozine. He was raised on farms in Kansas and Nebraska.

On September 24, 1943 he married the love of his life, Sandy Ailene Sanford (1923-2008) in California. They had four children within a six-year period. They were born in Nebraska (Michael R. Cozine), in Texas (Robert C. Cozine), in Hawaii (Patricia Cozine-Cole) and in New Jersey (Alan B. Cozine). Ahh…. join the Navy and see the world.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1939 and was aboard the USS Ramsay at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He served his country in the Pacific in World War II and Korea. Max was one of the last enlisted pilots in the Navy where he was a helicopter test pilot and was rated on every propeller airplane used by the Navy. He even owned two private planes and was planning to finish an ultralight. His last duty station was NAS Whidbey in 1955 where he retired from the Navy on June 23,1958.

His second career was as a partner in Haddon Furniture. When he retired again in 1977, he became the “go-to” man for many people around town, helping with small “Honey-Do” jobs. He was a very proficient carpenter, handyman, craftsman, landscaper, with the help of his John Deere tractor (his third arm), and general jack-of-all-trades. He was always willing and able to build anything made of wood, from picture frames to furniture for family and friends. The Cozine family home was built by Max, Sandy and the kids in 1961 where every summer the traditional annual BBQ for family and friends has been held with Max hosting the festivities.

Max is survived by his 4 children, and 8 grandchildren: Michael Powell, Laura Lynch, Michelle Landis, Ryan Powell, Becky Thompson, Jeff Cozine, Matt Cozine, and Kelley Dunn; 12 great-grandchildren: Chase Powell, Scout Powell, Britney Lynch, Marcus Tasanasanta, Kevin Tasanasanta, Michael Johnson, Wesley Powell, Hope Thompson, James Cozine, Nathan Cozine, Seth Cozine and Hailey Dunn; and three great-great-grandchildren: Jackson Camerzell, Dylan Adams, and Emma Tasanasanta.

Max loved to fish, bowl, golf and build things. He was a life member of the VFW, a past President ofthe Fleet Reserve, and he and Sandy were the original two employees of Whidbey Federal Credit Union. He always made time for his family and friends and helped with any projects presented to him. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. Many will miss his smile and hugs.

A celebration of life will be held 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2013 at the Sierra Country Club, 2685 San Juan Street in Coupeville.

Max was generous to his charities. In lieu of flowers, please make an extra donation to the charity of your choice.