SALEM- Chester J. Kowalski, 89, husband of Anna B. (Bartnicki) Kowalski, of Salem, died Friday evening, May 31, 2002 in the Peabody Glen Nursing Home, Peabody, following a brief illness.
Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Stanley and Marcella (Wisniewski) Kowalski.
Prior to his retirement the mid 1980's, he was a driving instructor for over 40 years. He owned and operated Chet’s Auto School in Salem and later in Danvers.
A lifelong resident of Salem, he was a parishioner of Ste. Anne’s Church and was a member of the Holy Name Society.
An Army Veteran of WWII, he served with Battery G. 240th Coast Artillery and attained the rank of Sergeant.
Besides his wife, with whom he shared 24 years of marriage, he is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Alexander S. “Alex” and Regina Kowalski of Salem, three grandchildren, Jennifer Bechtold, Katherine Bechtold and Kenneth Bechtold III, all of Lafayette, New Jersey, his former daughter-in-law and her husbandJulie and Kenneth Bechtold of Lafayette, New Jersey and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Pauline (Ouellette) Kowalski, one son, Donald Kowalski, a Somersworth, New Hampshire police officer who died in the line of duty, two brothers, Max Kowalski and Felix Kowalski, and four sisters, Alice Jones, Helen Jesuit, Euphemia M. “Effie” Drankowski and Claire B. Drankowski.
His funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 5, 2002 at 9 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 am at Ste. Anne’s Church, Salem. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Tuesday, 4 to 8 pm. Burial is in St Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Donations may be made in his memory to the Ste. Anne’s Church, 290 Jefferson Avenue, Salem, MA 01970 or to the charity of one’s choice. For guest book & directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.