Edward W. Kowalski, 97, of Manchester, and longtime resident of Danbury, died peacefully at home on Veterans Day 11/11/2017. He is now reunited with his beloved wife of 68 years, Irene. They were married on June 21, 1947 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Danbury.
Ed was born on February 1, 1920 in Newark, New Jersey to the late Casimer and Josephine (Janusz) Kowalski. He was raised in Danbury, graduated from Danbury High School class if 1937 and received an Associates Degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Norwalk Technical School.
Ed was a lover of music, especially opera and classical music, and had a rich musical background. He was a Choir member at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Danbury for 70 years, as a Polish Tenor soloist. He was a member of the Melodiers Quartet, singing at the 1939 New York World’s Fair and other venues in New York City. He was also a member of the Arion Singing Society (German), the Vespucci Chorus (Italian), and the Danbury Choral Society where he sang in the chorus and the quartets of The Oratorios-The Elijah and The Creation.
Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 22 and proudly served his country from 1942 to 1946 as Staff Sergeant in the 9th Armored Division in World War II. He served overseas where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine in the Battle of Remagen. In honor of their victory Ed received a bottle of champagne from General Dwight D. Eisenhower, as did all 3,500 soldiers of Combat Command B. He was a member of American Legion Post #102.
Ed was employed at the Frank H. Lee Hat Company is Danbury and proudly wore his own creations. He was then employed at Data Control Systems until they relocated to the South. He joined Demetron Research, a dental equipment company, until he retired and moved with his wife Irene to Manchester to be closer to his children.
The values that Ed held dear to his heart were the love he had for his family, for his Catholic faith and for his country. Anyone who knew Ed also knew his love for music (we always knew he was happy when he was humming) and gardening (and he knew the Latin names for many plants).
Education was important to Ed, and even though he was unable to attend college, he wanted to provide the best education possible for his three children. He was so proud of their accomplishments. We thank Dad for this gift he gave us and we are eternally grateful.
Ed is survived by his three children, Dr. Chester Kowalski and wife Nancy of Middle Haddam, Dr. Cathleen Kowalski of Manchester, and Dr. Kenneth Kowalski and wife Irene of Burlington. He was “Papa” to his six grandchildren, Lauren Iraeta and her husband Lee, Andrea Kowalski, Samantha Kowalski, Daniel Quatrocelli and his wife Amanda, Kenneth Kowalski and partner Bianca Diaz, and Thomas Kowalski, and two great grandchildren Isabella and Xavier Iraeta. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Eugene Tomanio of Danbury, and many nieces and nephews. Ed was predeceased by his wife Irene and his three sisters Stephanie Jedzinak, Helen Cole and Evelyn Tomanio.
Ed’s family would like to thank the Visiting Nurses Health Services of Connecticut and his caregivers Aldona and Sharon for their tender, loving care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 16 at 11:00 AM at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main Street, in Manchester. Burial with military honors will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery in Glastonbury. Family and friends may call on Thursday prior to the Mass from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester.
Donations in Ed’s memory may be made to the USO, United Service Organizations, PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677, or to the charity of your choice.
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”