
Michael John “Mike” Kuzan, 63, passed peacefully to the Lord Friday, June 29, 2018.
Mike was born Sept. 20, 1954, to Joseph Stephen Kuzan and Lorraine Voss Kuzan in Lackawanna, New York. Mike was devoted to God, his country, and to his soulmate and love, Paula Keys Kuzan.
He was a devout Christian taking time each day to converse with his heavenly Father and pray for the well-being and care of those around him. Mike proudly and courageously served his country in the U.S. Navy for 22 years and retired as a senior master chief. During his service, he received a National Defense Service Medal, five Good Conduct medals, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, two Navy Achievement medals and the Navy Commendation Medal. He was stationed on the USS Joseph Hewes FFT-1078 when he retired Aug. 31, 1994.
Friends in high school, Mike and Paula took different paths in life. In 2011, when both had returned to North Carolina, their friendship deepened and they were married in 2013. He was devoted to Paula and their pups, Zack and Lizzie. Mike’s absolute joy was to cheer for the Carolina Tar Heels, “Go Heels!” He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and would always take time to do a favor, run an errand or help out where needed.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Joseph L. Kuzan.
Mike is survived by his wife, Paula; stepdaughter, Kathryn Brink (Josh); sisters, Patricia Elliott (Robert), Laurie Puckett and Judith Martin (Lon); and brother, Steven Kuzan. In addition, he had eight nieces and nephews and 16 great-nieces and great-nephews who held a special place in his heart.
The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff in the ICU and on the 9th and 10th floors at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. No matter how busy they were, they always took the time to treat him with kindness and compassion. And in the end, they were kind and respectful to him and his family at a most difficult time. We will be eternally grateful to God that He placed these wonderful people around us.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, July 6, at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, 1411 N. Howe St., Southport. In recognition to RED, “Remember Everyone Deployed,” Mike always wore red on Fridays to honor all U.S. troops. In memory of Mike and in support of our troops (deployed and at home), please consider wearing red for the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to the American Institute for Cancer Research or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Share online condolences with the family at peacocknewnamwhite.com.