Russ Kowalski, 58, of Dryden, passed away on Friday, March 12, at Cayuga Medical Center. Born November 29, 1951 in Pittsburgh PA, he later moved to Los Angeles CA as a child, where he met his wife of 32 years, Barbara Kowalski , nee Kiralla.
A long-time volunteer, Russ was an active member of Holy Cross Church, vice-president of the Dryden Central School Board, and president of the Dryden Lions Athletic Club. Russ coached his three daughters and dozens of other kids in soccer, softball, and basketball. Russ’s family would like to extend a sincere thanks to Dr. Robert Hesson, his team, and the doctors and nurses at Cayuga Medical Center for the compassion and loving care given to our beloved husband, father, and Papa.
Russ is survived by his wife Barbara, his three daughters Rhonda (Skip) Oltz, Noel (Tucker) Lind and Stephanie (Tony Zoccano) Kowalski; his granddaughters Dana and Makayla Oltz; stepmother Ardis Kowalski, and siblings Walter, Cheryl, Brad, Tracy, Melissa, Jennifer, Justin and Jaime. He is predeceased by his parents Walter Kowalski and Betty Feipel.
Memorial Information:
A memorial mass of will be offered at 11 AM, Thursday, March 18, 2010 at Holy Cross Church, 375 George Road, Freeville, NY with Rev. Scott Kubinski officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Friends are invited to call from 7 to 9 PM Wednesday at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York, 3901 Genesee Street, Suite 110,Buffalo, New York 14225 or Dryden High School Athletics, P.O. Box 88, Dryden, NY 13053. www.perkinsfuneralhome.com
Barb, Rhonda, Stephanie and Noel: I just happened to pick up the newspaper today while at an appt with Mark and saw this in the paper. I found myself saying “oh no, oh no, oh no!” about a zillion times. This is just heartbreaking to lose such an amazing man in our community, but mostly for your family. Please accept our most sincere sympathy for your loss. Russ gave and gave and gave and gave to everyone that he came in contact with. His long illness never hindered his attitude or his desire to help others. Although we don’t see each other much since our move, we are still just down the road so please call or let me know if there is anything I can do, ever. My cousin just lost her dad last June at the age of 85 and she said “there is never a good day to lose your dad, no matter whether he is young or old, there is never a good day.” Heaven will be much more organized now, as Russ is probably already forming organizations of angels to watch over Dryden, NY. Our thoughts are with you all. Suzanne Searle and family