Edward J. Kozlowski was the first Republican mayor in Milford and later went on to serve Connecticut in several capacities, showing off his pride in his Polish heritage at every opportunity.

He was born in Bridgeport on July 9, 1926 and moved to Milford two years later to his lifelong home that his father built at 31 Gunn Street.

His parents were born in Polish villages between Warsaw and Vilno, which was the under Russian occupation. His mother, Anna Biologlowey, came from Starczynienka, while his father, August Kozlowski, hailed from Wlocliezska.

Young Kozlowski went through the Milford school system from kindergarten to high school, then joined the Navy at age 17, serving for two-and-a half from 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific theater.

At Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, he received an honorable discharge as Second Class Petty Officer Torpedo Man. Ed then attended Clarkson University, accompanied by his first wife, Joan Sapitowicz, divorcing after four years. He graduated in 1951 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

Kozlowski worked as a machine designer and administrative engineer at the Bullard Company for 19 years. There he met his second wife, Theresa. They were married for 35 years. It was during this time that he served as Connecticut Division president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

In Milford he got involved with the city youth, managing several Little League baseball teams and was assistant scoutmaster for Troop 1. City politics then called.

In 1967, Ed became an alderman. Just two years later he ran and successfully became the Republican mayor in Milford, serving one term from 1969 to 1971.

While mayor, he put his business and engineering skills to work and stopped a planned $5 million incinerator.
His alternative solution for the city’s waste disposal needs was the construction of the first municipal garage shredder in New England, which was half the cost of the incinerator and more environmentally friendly.
He also spearheaded the creation of 12 small recreation parks in Milford, known as “parkettes.” We would certainly call Ed “green” today.

While only he and future Mayor Clifton Moore only served one term as mayor, Kozlowski did not lose an election. He was called to duty as then Gov. Thomas Meskill appointed Kozlowski to serve on his cabinet, becoming the first American of Polish descent to be appointed a full commissioner in Connecticut.

Ed first served as state Commissioner of Public Works and then headed the Department of Motor Vehicles during the span of 1971 to 1975. This gave Ed the pedestal to do notable things for the Polish community.

He was co-chairman of Hartford’s Pulaski Monument for five years. Casmir Pulaski, a Polish native, was a general in the Revolutionary War and was known as the father of the American cavalry. Ed was also head of a sculpture selection committee that interviewed 25 candidates. His committee helped raise $150,000 in private funds for its completion. The monument was dedicated on July 4, 1976.

Another project Kozlowski championed was the 17 feet high “Genius of Connecticut” statue, originally installed in 1878 atop the State Capital dome, but damaged in the 1938 hurricane. After four years in the Capital basement in 1942, the piece was donated to the federal government and melted down as part of the war effort to make ammunition and machine parts.

As Public Works Commissioner, Ed hired a Polish sculpture, Casimir Michalczyk, to restore the original plaster model. In the 2000s, it was scanned by laser for accuracy and a new statue was cast in bronze by the foundry Polich Tallis at an expense of $330,000.

It is currently on view in the Capital rotunda, awaiting another $2000,000 still needed to once again raise the “Genius” to the top of the Capital dome. Kozlowski was also responsible for the construction and naming of Nicolas Copernicus Hall Science Building at Central Connecticut State University, after the Polish astronomer and mathematician  known as the “father of modern astronomy.”

Copernicus established the theory that the planets revolved around the sun, and not the Earth.

As Motor Vehicle commissioner, Ed started the first learner’s permit driver’s tests in Polish, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian for those who could not speak English.

In May 2012, Kozlowski was honored on Polish Day at the State Capital with a citation presented by state Rep. Peter Tercyak. The Award is given to Polish Americans who have contributed significantly to the state and nation.

In other activities, for 60 years Ed was a member of the Thaddeus Kosciusko Society (national hero in Poland, Lithuania and Belarus who trained troops and fought in the American Revolution) of Milford, serving as its president for seven years.

He was also life member of Knights of Columbus, Milford Elks #1589, American Legion #296, VFW #7788 and the Milford Club. Kozlowski Road, which borders Platt Regional Technical School - the construction of which he initiated and saw to completion - is named in his honor.

An avid fisherman, at the suggestion of two fishing buddies, in 1970 he approved the city’s sponsorship of the annual Fishing Derby for children at the Wepawaug River City Hall and upper (or North Street) duck ponds. The Fishing Derby continues to this day.

Kozlowski also held a Master Gardener’s Certificate from the University of Connecticut and tilled a garden of vegetables, fruit and flowers. Dahlias were prize winners, garlic was one of his specialities and he once grew a 673-pound pumpkin in his backyard.

Kozlowski married three times. His first marriage to Joan lasted four years. They had one daughter, Andrea. His second marriage ended with her death. They had four sons: Edward, John, Michael and Andy. He also cherished his nine grandchildren and two great grandsons and great granddaughters.

Ed’s third marriage of 16 years to Dorothy (Dotty), who he proudly referred to as “my bride,” ended with his passing in 2016. Dotty, who has moved away from Milford, remains a MHOF member and provides the line drawings for the Hall of Fame memorial plaques.

Ed was a charter member of the Milford Hall of Fame and served until his passing.