Dear Editor: We reported our father, Richard Kozlowski, missing in early November 2005 after his not being heard from for some time. I (Shirley Retalic) am pleased to know that the small town of North Bergen, where I grew up, has so many caring people. The first day of my bizarre phone call to them from Florida I dealt with the kindest of police. Lieutenant Vitale was the first person I spoke to and he was great in his response. After a few months of searching, the case sort of went on hold In early February, I received a call from Sgt Gonyou, (Our Angel) and was told that she would not stop until she found out what happened to our father.
She wasn’t just humoring me as I found out. This case would literally be a cold case if it weren’t for her caring so much and recruiting others and never giving up. Thanks to her we have closure, as sad as it is. As you may know Dad passed away on October 6, 2005 in a hospice home in New York City. I would also like to thank Captain Farley for going with Sgt. Gonyou to Englewood Hospital and not leaving until he had all of the necessary information to answer all of my questions. I cannot wait to meet them and thank them in person.
I also want all who care to know that Richard Kozlowski wasn’t homeless per say and did have family who cared about him. As a result, Mark, my brother, and I will see each other for the first time in over 20 years! Mark never gave up searching either. I have met Rick Kozlowski, my half brother, for the first time ever and spoken to Eugenia Kozlowski, my half sister, and Theresa Suarez, my other half sister. Something good comes from something so sad. We must slow down and not let so much time go by so that something like this doesn’t happen to another loved one.
Thank you for caring.
Sincerely, Shirley Retalic, daughter Mark Kozlowski, son