HARRY KOWALSKY (UNCLE HARRY)

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HARRY KOWALSKY (UNCLE HARRY) Peacefully in his sleep at the Bethel Home in Gimli, beloved husband, uncle, and Shriner Harry Kowalsky shed the bonds of a lengthy illness and left this world with a fine legacy. He is predeceased by his parents, Anna and Henry; and siblings, Anne, Elsie, Lydia, Otto, Roy and Wanda. "Uncle Harrys loving wife of 56 years Stella, and a multitude of nieces and nephews ("great" and "great-great" as well) are left to mourn his loss and to cherish fond memories. Harry was farm-born and raised in lean times near Labroquerie, MB where his hardy, hard working, no-nonsense nature was forged. Cutting and chopping wood to support the family built his physical stature while fueling his tireless ambition. It was fitting that wood itself would become the medium of his craft as an accomplished self-taught carpenter and successful founder of H. Kowalsky Builders. Even in his "semi-retirement", the meticulous Harry continued to dabble in construction and handiwork. His "good looks", stylish dress, crew cut, mustache, bow-tie and cigar proved irresistible to his young bride-to-be Stella at a local dance where they met and became the proud trademarks of a truly "self-made man". A man who as a lad watching the pageantry of a Shriners parade, made, and fulfilled a pledge to himself that he would one day join their ranks. As a member of the Khartum Temple Colour Guard, Harry and Stella saw much of the world, including the Orient. Harry wore the "red fez" like his fine cars......well. Uncle Harry had a wonderful sense of humour, an infectious laugh, and a great love of children and the dreams of young people. He was a golfer, a fisherman, a hunter and a gardener. He liked "real" wrestling, Chinese food, a good cigar, driving a nice car and a nice crop of crabapples. He was a TRUE gentleman. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 11, at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave., Aubrey Street entrance. Harry will be interred near Steinbach, where his parents, brother and sisters rest at St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery. The family expresses bountiful gratitude for the exemplary care and devotion of the Gimli Home Care workers, and the staff at the Betel Home, and Johnson Memorial Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations in Harrys memory may be made to the Parkinson Society of Manitoba, 302 - 171 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 1M4. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 10, 2003