Edward F. Kowlzan

BALDWINVILLE - Edward F. Kowlzan, 94, of Baldwinville died Friday, July 8, 2016 at Baldwinville Nursing Home. He was born October 27, 1921 in Gardner, the son of the late Antoni and the late Fannie (Dokurna) Kowlzan. He grew up in Gardner and graduated from Gardner High School in 1939. He attended Worcester Boys Trade School for plumbing. Mr. Kowlzan was a Veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. He was involved in the following battles; the Aleutians, Pacific Raids in 1943; Solomons Air Strike on September 18, 1943; Treasury-Bougainville, Gilberts Marshalls, Bismarck Archipelago, Asiatic-Pacific Raids 1944, Western New Guinea, Marianas, Western Carolines, Leyte Okinawa Attack, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and he took part in the Japanese Occupation. He received the Good Conduct Ribbon, American Area Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon with 14 engagement stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars, Navy Commendation Ribbon and the Victory Medal. He was discharged on December 13, 1945. Edward worked for Wheelan Supply in Gardner for many years and then went to work at Royal Steam Heater Company where he retired from in 1986. He was a member of St. Vincent DePaul Church; the Gardner PACC, Baldwinville American Legion, Gardner V.F.W. and the Otter River Sportsmen Club. He was a proud member of the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry Union for over 40 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He leaves three daughters, Diane M. Moulton of Baldwinville, Deborah A. Koziol and her husband Bruce of Baldwinville, Nancy J. Lucarelli and her husband Keith of Winchendon; one son, Christopher J. Kowlzan and his wife Karen of Winchendon; ten grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predceased by his wife Gladys P. (Cwartkowski) Kowlzan; by two sisters, Jennie Krysiak, Pearl Heglin; by two brothers, Felix Kowlzan and Francis Kowlzan. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at St. Vincent De Paul, 1 Forest St., Baldwinville. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon. Calling hours will be Wednesday, July 13, 2016 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Poliks Funeral Home, 431 Pleasant St., Gardner, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, 268 Central St., Gardner, MA 01440. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Poliks Funeral Home 431 Pleasant St., Gardner is directing arrangements.