Frank “Red” Cozzetto, 86, passed away unexpectedly May 13, 2014, at Kootenai Health Center.

Red was born in Spokane, Wash., to Zelva (Castleman) and Frank Cozzetto on July 2, 1927. He attended grade school and high school in Spokane. At the start of WWII, only 17 and too young for the Navy, Red joined the Merchant Marines and served in Alaska. During the Korean War, Red served with the U.S. Navy, and was stationed at the Spokane Naval Air Station. Red spent 37 years in the service, retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves in 1987.

Red was a “man of many hats.” Among his many occupations, he was a Spokane firefighter, managed the North Shore Marina, and taught skiing at Mt. Spokane, 49 Degrees North, and Schweitzer. Red also delivered mail by boat on Lake Coeur d’Alene, worked for the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, and was a volunteer driver for the DAV van for Spokane Veterans’ Hospital.

Red was an active member of the Hayden Lake Eagles and the VFW. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, biking, fixing cars, and having a cold beer with friends.

Red is survived by his wife, Carolyn, at home in Hayden; step-daughter, Dr. Nikki Strong (Daniel), of Minneapolis, Minn., grandson, James Sane, of Shaw Island, Wash., brother, Joe Cozzetto, and sister, Donna Berg, both of Spokane, Wash., step-brother, Jim Rosa and step-sister, Helen Eller, both of Newman Lake, Wash., as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 22, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene. There will be a reception to follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice. English Funeral Chapel of Coeur d’Alene has been entrusted to handle final arrangements. Please visit Red’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.