Obituary of Stephen Kowalsky

Stephen Kowalsky, 87, a Brooklyn native and long-time Dutchess County resident, died peacefully at home on April 4, 2014 surrounded by family. Born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on December 22, 1926, Stephen was the son of the late Julia and Samuel Kowalsky. He was predeceased by two older brothers, Peter and Samuel. Stephen served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was a watchmaker by trade, his career culminating in a position with Tiffany & Co, mainly working on antique pieces. Through his work at Tiffany, he participated in advanced training at the Patek Philippe Institute in Switzerland receiving the designation "master watchmaker." In 1962, Stephen married Jean DeMott, who predeceased him in 2007. He missed her everyday and was at peace with dying in order to be able to join his love. They had three daughters: Barbara Cruz, who survives at home; Linda Zoufaly and her husband, Lawrence, of Hopewell Junction; and Julia Fishman, and her husband Ben, of New Paltz. Stephen is also survived by six loving grandchildren: Robert and Samantha Cruz; Larry and Meghan Zoufaly; and Kate and Noah Fishman. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Walter and Yvonne Kowalsky of the Bronx; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Edwin and Felicia DeMott of Danville, Vermont and Linda and Walter Paczkowski of South Kortright, NY; and daughter Barbara's fiancé John Mackson. Stephen leaves behind many nieces and nephews. His beloved feline companions, Prince and Sparkle, also survive at home. A kind, gentle man, Stephen will be remembered for his love of the New York Times, New York Yankees, the New York Giants, animals, desserts, breakfast at the I-84 Diner and, above all, his generous heart. Family will receive friends on Sunday, April 6, 2014 from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 7 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Wappingers Rural Cemetery, West Main Street, Wappingers Falls. Memorial donations may be made to Dutchess County SPCA, 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538 or Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. To send the family a personal condolence or for directions, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.