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James L. Hoznor

April 28, 1948 - July 22, 2017

U.S. Veteran

Burial Date July 25, 2017

Obituary Viewed 2450 times

Oakdale – James Lawrence Hoznor “Hoz”, 69, passed peacefully at home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. July 22nd, 2017.

He was born in Wilmington Ohio April 28th 1948, the Son of Isabel Lake and Ladislav Hoznor and stepfather Ken Lake whom all predeceased him. In his youth his family moved to Union Beach New Jersey where he grew up. Jim later served honorably in the United States Army as a helicopter crew chief and toured Vietnam in 1967 – 1968. He served in the 161st Helicopter Assault Company “Scorpions”. No matter what president was in office he honored them and proudly called them “The Commander in Chief”. Jim gave of himself and cared deeply for his comrades that paid the ultimate sacrifice; he took great honor in making sure troops were supplied with food and ammo, he personally brought the deceased out of the jungle assuring their journey home.

After his tour of duty Jim was in search of work; from New Jersey he inquired with one of his fellow Vietnam veterans Marsden F. Sanford from New London. With a strong presence of industry in the region Marsden suggested he come here and seek employment. Marsden and Jim became the best of friends throughout their lives. Jim quickly made the journey and moved to New London where he was quickly employed by Thames Valley Steel as a working foreman for 15 plus years. He later launched out on his own, forming what everyone knew as “Hoznor Welding Fabrication and Crane Service”. The word “can’t” was not in Jim’s vocabulary; there was always a determination to find a solution and get the job done, and he did. Jim was always composed and steadfast when at the helm of a crane. Always close by, there was always a Doberman Pincher that accompanied every job.

Jim loved capturing the thrill of speed; these two quotes often accompanied him “The Need for Speed” and “The Faster the Better”. He captured speed in many ways; motorcycle racing, skydiving, bungee jumping, and parasailing. He raced hard until he achieved the ultimate knee scrape on a hard turn at 120 plus miles per hour. While free-falling he loved a sixty second delay, tracking, and a barrel roll at terminal velocity.

Hoz is survived by his loving wife Monique (LaSalle) Hoznor of 16 years along with their three daughters; Kathleen Silvia of Norwich, Michele (Silvia) Humes and her husband Jason of Natchez, Mississippi, Christine (Silvia) Ruiz of Norwich, along with their families. His mother in-law, Marie LaSalle of Norwich; sister in law, Claudette (LaSalle) Williams of Norwich and her husband Danny. His sister Cheri (Lake) Brister and her husband John, along with their children Kevin, Elizabeth and great nephew Bryce of New Jersey. His brother Ron Lake of New Jersey. His brother Alan Lake and wife Kim: their children AJ, Chris, and Leighann of Black Mountain, North Carolina. His brother Ken and Rosa Lake and their family, of Colonia, New Jersey. He is further survived by three Hoznor brothers and their families in California, and close and dear friend Graham McGovero, known as “The brother from another mother”.

Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday July 25th at Impellitteri Funeral Home 84 Montauk Ave., New London. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital P.O. Box 50 Memphis TN 38101-9929 or The Wounded Warrior Project Donor Care Center P.O. Box 758541 Topeka Kansas 66675-8541.



     

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