Dade City, FL - Sydney Ephraim Koski of Dade City, Florida, formerly of Republic, Michigan, passed away Saturday, January 27th, 2024, after a brief illness.

Sid was born to Charles and Tyyne Koski on December 9th, 1936. After graduating from Republic/Michigamme High School, Sydney worked in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at American Motors for a short time. At the same time, he worked for the LS&I railroad. In 1961, during the Vietnam War, he was drafted into the army for two years.  In his time in the military, he was a weaponry trainer for the South Vietnamese.

In 1974, Sid met and married the love of his life, Joan. He helped raise Joan's five young children.

After Sid's honorable discharge from the army, he returned to the LS&I railroad. He worked as a mechanic/welder in various capacities in his 42.5 years but worked primary on the ore dock in Marquette. Outside of his professional job, he farmed by planting potatoes and rutabagas; these were the foundation for delicious pasties his wife made for Sid to delivery to the men who worked in various jobs on the railroad and the mine, and to sell in multiple pasty shops.

In Sid's spare time, he was passionate about and pitched/managed for the Republic Merchants Old Timers softball league. He started the St. Urho Day celebrations in Republic, and these continued to grow and thrive in Dade City, Florida.  From 2000 to 2018, Sid and Joan traveled in their various campers splitting time between Republic and Florida stopping to visit many friends and family along the way.

Sid is preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings, Stewart, Carl, Douglas, Elaine and Ruth. He is survived by his wife, Joan, of almost 50 years, many nieces and nephews and two cousins, five children, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday June 22, 2024 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic with the Rev. Alex Ross to officiate. A luncheon will follow the services in the church hall.

Sid's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.