April 4, 1934 – May 6, 2022
Dear Family and Friends,
We are deeply saddened to announce Kurt Leo Kowalski passed, peacefully, on Friday, May 6, 2022. He had just celebrated his 88th birthday in April.
Loving husband of the late Judith MacKay-Kowalski (March 13, 2022), beloved step-father of Scott Campbell, Glenn Campbell, Kelly (Rob) Nesbitt and Todd (Andrea) Campbell, and cherished step-grandfather of Stefan, Matthew, Lukas, Colin, Allison, Sarah, Sydney, Skyla and Sophie.
Kurt is survived by his beloved sister, Christa Bilina, and extended family members in Germany: Wilhelm Bilina, Gretel Uhlmann, Frank Bilina, Elke Bretall, Meik Bretall, Lisa Bretall and Christopher Bretall.
As a young man Kurt immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1955. He settled in the Simcoe County region and remained there all his life. He worked for the Ministry of Agriculture as a Dairy Farm Inspector and was well liked and respected throughout the local community.
He met Judith in 1998, and they were married that same year in October. In Kurt’s own words, it was a whirlwind romance, saying “…I asked her to marry me after our third date” and with a glint in his eye, he said “…and, you know, she said YES!”
Kurt was a gentleman through and through. His kind and soft-spoken nature belied his strong character and fabulous sense of humour. True to his German roots he had a deep faith and resolve that carried him throughout his life. Along with our Mother, Kurt was an active member of the Northwest Barrie United Church.
In early July, the family will be holding a ceremony at the Barrie Union Cemetery, so both Judith and Kurt can be laid to rest, peacefully, together. Details will be made available soon for the small gathering of family and friends. Arrangements entrusted to the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home. Online condolences and memories may be left at www.steckleygooderham.com