Obituary: Richard John Kowal

Posted 10/13/21

Richard John Kowal, 75 years old, passed away unexpectedly with his lifelong best friend, Michael Hunt Sr., on Friday, September 24, 2021.

Mr. Kowal was born August 8, 1946, in Port Jervis, NY, …

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Obituary: Richard John Kowal

Posted

Richard John Kowal, 75 years old, passed away unexpectedly with his lifelong best friend, Michael Hunt Sr., on Friday, September 24, 2021.

Mr. Kowal was born August 8, 1946, in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late John P. and Eleanor M. (Elston) Kowal. He was a lifelong resident of Port Jervis.

Richard (Dick) Kowal started his early working career in high school, paving alongside his father. After graduating from Port Jervis High, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1965-1971. He then worked in construction alongside his lifelong friend, Michael “Mickey” Hunt. Together they built many buildings in the Tri-State area.

In more recent years, Dick loved to go to work every day for Project Self-Sufficiency in Newton, NJ, where he was the Buildings and Grounds Supervisor. Dick made a difference to all those he met while working at this nonprofit agency.

Dick was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who loved to hunt and fish. He was an avid NY Giants fan. He enjoyed tending to his lawn and garden but most of all he loved spending time with his four grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife Geraldine “Geri” (Fox) Kowal of 52 years; his sons, Richard Kowal and his wife Jennifer of Milford, PA and Chad Kowal and his wife Mary of Cuddebackville, NY; his brothers, John Kowal of Seneca, SC; Nat Kowal and his wife Belinda of Port Jervis; Joseph Kowal and his wife Jayne of Port Jervis; sister MaryAnn Semerano and her husband Robert of Brick, NJ; brother-in-law John A. Fox and his wife Paula of Pompton Plains, NJ; four grandchildren; Rachel, Travis, Austin and Blake and several nieces and nephews. Richard is also blessed to be survived by Michael Hunt Sr.’s family: Ann, Michael Jr., Michele, Melissa, and their families.

A visitation was held at Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc., 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis on October 7.

Funeral services were held Friday, October 8, with a 9 a.m. prayer at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, 307 Ave. F., Matamoras, PA, with Rev. Joseph Manarchuck officiating.

Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY.

Memorial contributions can be made to Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, Newton, NJ 07860

Arrangements by Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc., 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771, 845/856-5191. To read the obituary online or send a condolence note to the family visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com.

Richard John Kowal, obituary