CALAIS – Edward S. “Ski” Kowalski Jr., 67, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, at his home. Ed was born Sept. 24, 1942, in Camden, N.J., son of Edward Kowalski Sr. and Wanda (Bednarczyk) Kowalski. Ski attended St. Joseph School, Camden, N.J., and entered the U.S. Navy, Oct. 8, 1959, at age 17. During his 21-year naval career, Ed served on many ships. While his ship was docked in Eastport, he met his future wife, Sandra Haddock. They married Dec. 1, 1962. Ed taught at Navy schools at Philadelphia Navy Yard and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Ed served as command master chief of Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., and during the Vietnam War he served in the waters of Vietnam aboard the USS Joseph Strauss DDG16. Ski retired from the Navy, July 31, 1979. Shortly after his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Ed began his second career with the Military Sealift Command, where he retired as chief engineer in 1997. During his career with the Military Sealift Command, Ed served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was a member of Sherman Bros. Post No. 3 American Legion, Calais; a lifetime member of Boyd-Smith Post No. 9779 Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he was a Past District Commander; lifetime member of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch No. 60, Norfolk, Va.; lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans; and lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America and Polish American Citizens’ Club, Camden County, N.J. Ed was predeceased by his mother, Wanda. Surviving are his father, Edward Kowalski Sr. of Woodbury, N.J.; his loving wife, Sandra Kowalski; two children, Teresa Kowalski of Calais and Michael Kowalski and his wife, Rhonda, of Groton, Conn.; two grandchildren, Jessica Kowalski and Brenna Corbett, both of Calais; two brothers, Joe Kowalski and his wife, Dot, of Cherry Hill, N.J., and John Kowalski and his wife, Donna, of Runnemede, N.J.; two uncles, Leonard and Betty Bednarczyk, and Stanley and Connie Bednarczyk, all of New Jersey; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his faithful canine companion, Molly. Visiting hours will be held 1-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Church Street, Calais, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 3 p.m. by Father David Sivret. Burial will be held at Calais Cemetery at a later date. Donations in Ed’s memory may be made to Boyd-Smith Post No. 9779 VFW, care of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 29 Church St., Calais, ME 04619. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais and Eastport. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
EDWARD S. KOWALSKI JR.
