John Kowalski

Mr. John R. Kowalski, age, 90, of 80 Frank Street, Salamanca, New york died Monday morning, December 15, 2008 at the Absolut of Salamanca.

Born on July 22, 1928 in Salamanca, New York he was the son of the late Joseph and Frances Wisnieswski Kowalski. He was married on October 7, 1950 in Holy Cross Church to the former Helen Macielag who survives. They renewed their wedding vows on October 7, 2000 in St. Jospeh's Cathedral in Buffalo, New York.

Mr. Kowalski attended Holy Cross Parochial School and was a graduate of Salamanca High School Class of 1938.

He attended Citizens Military Training Camp conducted at Fort Niagara each August. He completed the Red, White, and Blue courses of Training.

Mr. Kowalski worked as a detective for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was appointed as a Patrolman for the Salamanca Police Department on October 10, 1940 from a Civil Service List.

On March 4, 1942 he was inducted into the U.S. Army in the 44th Infantry Division. He served in the European Theater of Operations. He received three Battle Stars for engagements in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Approximately six months before hostilities ended, Mr. Kowalski transferred into the Military Police Corps and found himself in Impst, Austria. After clearing Camp Chesterfield, for the first time in the annals of military history, an entire Division embarked home aboard one vessel, the Queen Elizabeth II.

Upon seperation from the Army on November 8, 1945, Mr. Kowalski returned to the Salamanca Police Dept. He promoted through the ranks of Chief of Police in 1966. After 43 years of service, Mr. Kowalski retired so he could spend more time with his beloved wife, Helen, his son, Joseph and his family, and friends.

He was a member of Holy Cross Church, the Parish Council , and served as an usher, he was a life member of the Holy Cross Club, where he served as secretary, life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1002, Auxiliary Police Organization, Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post #5296, a former member of N.Y.S. Chiefs of Police Association, and a former member of the N.Y.S. Traffic Association.

Mr. Kowalski built his own home and enjoyed growing tomatoes and doing yard work and was a lifetime resident of Frank Street.

Surviving besides his wife are: a son, Mr. Joseph (Karyn) Koalski, Collins, New York; 2 grandsons, Brandon and Matthew Kowalski; a sister, Marion Meek, Salamanca, New York; a brother Daniel (Mary) Kowalski; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by 4 sisters, Josephine Scoby, Helen Frank, Sophie Bess, Loretta Kowalski, 2 brothers, Leonard Kowalski, Walter Kowalski.

Private family visitation and funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, New York.