SPENCER: Roger E. "Lefty" Kowal, 93, of Spencer, died Tuesday, March 7th. in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester.
He leaves his wife of 67 years, Theresa L. (Cournoyer) Kowal, his sons; Robert Kowal and his wife Lori of Spencer and Stephen Kowal and his wife Deborah of Charlton, his daughter; Marcia Toomey and her husband Sean of Reading, 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers; John, Eugene, Julian and Carol Kowal.
Roger was a sonic inspector at Wyman Gordon Co. in Grafton for 37 years until his retirement in 1991.
He was born in Spencer, the son of Joseph and Anna (Sura) Kowal and later graduated from David Prouty High School in 1949 where he played basketball. He then served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
"Lefty" was a competitive baseball pitcher in the Blackstone Valley baseball league. He was an avid sportsman, hunter and fisherman. He was a Lifetime member of the Spencer Fish & Game Club, a member of the Greendale Retired Men's Club and the Gaudette-Kirk Post 138 American Legion in Spencer.
He enjoyed playing cards with his friends. Along with his wife, they spent many winters in Florida over the years. He was an avid gardener.
Roger's funeral will be held on Monday, March 13th from the J.HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, No.Brookfield Rd., E.Brookfield. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Mary,Queen of the Rosary Cemetery, Spencer. A calling hour will precede the funeral from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.Monday, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Spencer Rescue Squad, Inc., 4 Bixby Rd., Spencer, MA 01562.