On Saturday, family members and friends gathered at the Chestnuthill Township Park building for a surprise retirement party to wish retiring parks director Bernie Kozen a long and well-deserved retirement.

Joking with friends who congratulated him about finally retiring, he said, “This isn’t my first retirement, I retired from the newspaper (Pocono Record) and then came here to Chestnuthill Township as the director, so this is my second retirement.”

Kozen worked tirelessly to bring new programs and events to offer the community a place to bring their families to enjoy all the events and crafts he came up with.

The township has not hired a replacement for Kozen as director of the Chestnuthill Township Parks and Recreation Department, which also oversees the West End Park and Open Space Commission.

He wore many hats during his years as the director and was always available, judging the Best Pet Halloween costume outside at Ross Township, on a rainy cold October day, a coloring contest, a chili cook-off or coming up with the idea of a drive-thru to celebrate the holidays during the pandemic.

His enthusiasm never changed when he reported how many events were held and how many attended.

State Sen. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe/Northampton, awarded a citation for all the endless hours he spent making sure all the programs offered were a success.

Scavello said, “He is getting a citation, but not one he will have to pay, it’s for thanking him for his dedication to the Chestnuthill community and making it a better place to live.”

Pam Fleetwood, whose husband Dave was killed in a shooting at the Ross Township building in 2013, spoke at the party. “Bernie has been such a help to me, especially after Dave was killed. He knew how important getting the Dave Fleetwood Memorial 5K organized was to me.”

Kozen helped to subdue the killer and save people at the meeting that night.

Fleetwood read a statement she wrote to express the feelings of the community.

“We don’t say goodbye, we say thank you.

“For all that you have done for the many years that you have been here, thank you is not even enough.

“You took this job as park director, at the beginning of this wonderful project of a regional park. You brought in your personality, your ability to work with many different people, your work ethic and your commitment. Without you we would not have grown to where we are today.

“You’ve attended many supervisor meetings to update on park plans as well as other supervisor meetings to try to convince those municipalities that they would want to be a part of this project. Your faithfulness to this endeavor has not gone unnoticed. You are the face of WEPOSC. You have worked weekends, evenings, and many other times when the average person would have been home. You don’t complain about the hours. You don’t complain about the hard work. You keep on with a smile and upbeat attitude.”

She added that Kozen worked tirelessly to obtain grants that have helped facilitate the dog park project, as well as other programs.

“You have made the Fleetwood 5K an event that the community looks forward to each year,” she said. The 5K raises money for a scholarship for Pleasant Valley graduates.

“There is no doubt you have left your mark on this regional park system. Thank you, my friend, for being that light to guide us. Congratulations on your retirement.”