Alvin "Buddy" Borowick

Alvin "Buddy" Borowick, 96, died on April 3, 2023, surrounded by his children in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born on May 28, 1926, to Azriel and Julia Borowick, and he was the second of six children born to this wonderful, hard-working, very young set of parents.

From an early age, a strong work ethic and a sense of taking care of family were instilled in Buddy. As those close to him came to know, he truly was someone that could be counted on as a true "Buddy" and was truly a friend to all, and very loyal to everyone in his circle of friends and family.

Buddy grew up with his family and worked hard in both town and on the farm, his parents owned on the outskirts of Louisville. As a youngster, Buddy and his older sister, Sonia, went to school and Hebrew school to learn the values of an honest and faithful family that stayed with Buddy and made him a very successful man, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and businessman that he became during his time here on earth.

Buddy lived a long and prosperous life during which he was responsible for the employment of almost everyone in and related to the Borowick family at some time or another,

Buddy went into the US Army during World War 2 and began his journey of learning how to conduct his business affairs and make connections with influential businesspeople, which served him well throughout his life. After his return from the military and studies in business at the University of Louisville, Buddy jumped into the retail business world in Louisville and established himself as a force in the marketplace.

Buddy began K&S (Kentuckiana Sales) Red Stamp and connected with multiple grocery stores in Louisville and southern Indiana to sell the stamps so when people bought groceries, they would get stamps with their purchases that they would collect in books and then take to the redemption center, also owned by Buddy, to redeem the stamps in books for merchandise at the redemption center.

Buddy then opened Bluegrass Distributing Company at 511 West Main Street, now the site of the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, which was the precursor to the Walmart shopping store concept. You could buy anything from jewelry to bowling balls at Bluegrass. If you were related to Buddy at some time or another in the 1960s, it is most probable that you worked there.

Buddy's work environments were always very family oriented. Still, everyone had immense respect and a heartfelt obligation to do the best they could at their job to make Bluegrass and his other businesses a success.

When urban renewal hit downtown Louisville, Buddy moved to the suburbs and started B-Mart Operations. These endeavors included furniture and every imaginable hair product and item you would find today in most dollar stores and similar retail enterprises.

Along the way, Buddy met the love of his life, Linda; they married and had three very lucky children, Kerry, Jodi, and Rick. Each of these three children were blessed with wonderful children of their own, and all were very special grandchildren to Buddy and became his love and pride as he continued into his golden years and most especially after Linda left the family much too early.

Buddy worked every day of his life that he could. He drove himself to work well into his 90s. He was very devoted to his family and was wise in business and life in ways that those close to him were mesmerized and would sit and listen to what he had to offer.

He will be sorely missed by friends and family alike, and there will be a void not easily filled for many years to come. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, his parents, and his sisters, Sonia Davidson and Corrine Goodman.

Buddy is survived by his children, Kerry Borowick (Stacey), Jodi Abend (Robert), and Richard Borowick (Cami), grandchildren Miranda Borowick, Joshua Abend, Nicholas Abend, Aaron Abend, Michael Borowick, Hunter Borowick, and Alayna Borowick; brothers Hershel Borowick, Leo Borowick (Shirley) and sister, Florence Weinstein.

A heartfelt appreciation to Peggy Briner, for her care, love, and being a part of our family.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 5th, at Herman Meyer & Son, Inc., 1338 Ellison Avenue, with burial to follow in Anshei Sfard Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Anshei Sfard Congregation.