Joseph G. Kowalski

Joseph G. Kowalski

AGE: 80 • Morris Plains

Joseph G. Kowalski passed into eternal life on December 24, 2012 at Morristown Medical Center after a courageous two and a half year battle against cancer of the bladder. He was born in Amsterdam, N.Y. on June 17, 1932 to Martha and Joseph S. Kowalski. He graduated from Wilbur Lynch High School in that city as a member of the Class of 1950.

He entered the US Army, and after basic training was sent to Korea. He fought in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill where he was wounded by an exploding mortar shell. After a year of receiving treatment for his wounds he was discharged in May of 1954. He earned the Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Medal and the Korean Service Medal. As well as the Korean Service Medal given by the Korean Government 50 years after the cessation of the conflict.

Upon return to civilian life, he entered Rochester Institute of Technology where he received a degree in Chemistry. Then followed an internship at Rochester General Hospital in Medical Technology. He continued working there after completing the requirements for registration as a medical technologist. He then transferred to working at the Washington, DC Veterans Administration Hospital. He was promoted to the position of Laboratory Coordinator at the Lyons, New Jersey Medical Center in 1975. Then in 1983, moved to the East Orange Veterans Medical Center as Laboratory Administrator where he continued to work until his retirement in 1998. In retirement, he worked part time for the Morris Plains Office of Lab Corp.

In 1955, he married Lorraine M. Hallett in Amsterdam, New York, a marriage that continued for 57 years. The family previously lived in Rochester, NY, Silver Spring Maryland, and Annandale VA before moving to Morris Plains. He is survived by two children, Thomas J. Kowalski of Arlington Heights, IL and Kathleen K. Sawka and spouse, Richard Sawka of Roxbury, NJ and two granddaughters, Ashley and Allison Sawka. He also leaves, three sisters, Constance Hawkins and Frances Medwid of Amsterdam NY and Elizabeth Perillo of Wellington, FL. He was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas and Francis Kowalski. Also surviving are a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and dear friends from college days, Evelyn and Henry Schwarz of Wayne, NJ.

Joe was a member of St.Virgil's Church in Morris Plains for 37 years and a member of the Prime Time Senior Group there. He was also a member of the Morris Township Senior Group. He and his wife enjoyed traveling and visited 26 countries with multiple trips to Germany and Poland, home of his ancestors. He volunteered at the Interfaith Food Pantry delivering food to seniors who did not have a means to visit the pantry themselves. He was a friend of Bill W. for 41 years. He also volunteered at Dover General Hospital. He was an avid Boston Celtics, Duke University Basketball and Washington Redskins fan and a voracious reader.

Arrangements are by Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Ave. Morris Plains. Viewing hours will be Friday December 28 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral mass will be at St. Virgil's Church , 250 Speedwell Ave. on Saturday December 29 at 10:00 a.m. There will be a viewing for the family in Amsterdam on Sunday December 30 from 2-4:00 at the Amsterdam Funeral Chapel , 13 Belmont Place Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Amsterdam New York on December 31. The family wishes donations to be made to the Organ Fund at St. Virgils, Church or the American Cancer Society.