KOZUB, George Yurij Kozub

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Yurij (George) Nicholas Kozub, who passed away unexpectedly on June 9, 2026, at the age of 78.

Predeceased by his parents, Andrij Kozub and Stephania Pelechacz, Yurij will be deeply missed by his devoted wife, Halya (Helen) Polatajko, his son, Christopher Kozub, his daughter-in-law, Allyson Marta, his grandchildren, Hannah (Hanusya) Kozub and Lev (Levchyk) Kozub, his sister-in-law, Slava Komichak, his niece, Olesya Komichak, his extended family in Toronto, Ohio and New Jersey, and by the many other relatives and friends whose lives he enriched.

George Yurij Kozub was born on March 6, 1948, while his family was living in a post-war displaced persons camp in Landek, Austria. Shortly after his birth, his father, Andrij, immigrated to Toronto, where he worked diligently to save enough money to bring his wife and young son to join him and begin a new life together.

Yurij was an exceptional athlete. As Parkdale Collegiate Institute’s star running back, at the high school championships, Yurij led the team to victory over their longtime rival, Humberside Collegiate Institute. Yurij received a football scholarship to University of Michigan, but subsequent injuries led him to transfer to the University of Detroit, where he received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering.

Yurij’s keen interest in technology, however, led him to a career in technology marketing. During his long and successful career, Yurij served as a marketing executive at several insurance technology companies. He was also a key executive officer of a pioneering Canadian artificial intelligence company, decades before it became popular.

Yurij’s joy of living and energy was unmatched. His interests and exploits were varied and, over the course of his life, included flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, owning winning racehorses, riding motorcycles, scuba diving, skiing, antiquing, and restoring a pre-Confederation farmhouse.

He had an insatiable drive to learn and to share his knowledge. He was often the first person people called when they had problems, whether medical, mechanical, or technological. He was selfless and generous to a fault and always saw the best in others.

Yurij was proud of his Ukrainian heritage and passed his love of Ukrainian culture and traditions on to his son and grandchildren. He met his beloved wife of 24 years, Halya, at Malanka (Ukrainian New Year). From early on they were inseparable. The depth and constancy of their love, and their dedication to each other, were an inspiration to all who knew them.

Yurij was an exceptionally devoted father and grandfather. His son, his daughter-in-law, and his grandchildren will miss him tremendously —but the degree of loss is a measure of the life lived.

The viewing will be held on Sunday, June 14th at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W, Toronto from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The memorial service (Panachyda) will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The Funeral Service will be celebrated at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church at 135 La Rose Ave, Etobicoke on Monday, June 15th at 10:00 a.m.

Yurij was a steadfast supporter of Ukraine and its people, particularly in their courageous resistance following Russia’s full-scale invasion.