RESTORATION WORK – Father Herman Belt keeps an eye on Lincoln Street traffic this morning as workers use a Snorkel Lift to pull rotten pieces of trim from the facade of St. Michael’s Cathedral. Several pieces recently had fallen off the cathedral, which dates to 1976, causing concerns about other pieces possibly falling off and hitting pedestrians. Belt says the plan is to fabricate new wooden trim and properly flash it. East bound traffic was diverted up American Street during today’s work. Contractors may close the street again Wednesday morning. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Steven R. Kowalczewski Dies at His Home in Sitka
Steven Robin Kowalczewski died at home in Sitka March 16, 2022, due to complications caused by lung cancer. He was 69.
He had first lived in Sitka during the 1990s, choosing to return in 2012 and remaining until the present.
Steve was born in London, England, Oct. 26, 1952, to Witold Dizany Kowalczewski and Doreen Mary Thurlow. Witold (“Vic”) was a Polish soldier who had escaped the joint German and Russian invasion of Poland to join Royal Air Force where he served for the duration of World War II. Doreen was a Londoner who worked for BBC at the time of their marriage.
The Kowalczewski family immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1953 and to Detroit, Michigan, in 1956 while following Witold’s career as an engineer in the auto industry. After his parents divorced in 1962, Steve remained with his mother and lived in Detroit, New Rochelle, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Bellingham, Washington.
He finished high school in Bellingham in 1971 and after several years as a laborer he entered and completed an apprenticeship with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. His work as a carpenter brought him to Alaska in 1979 and over the years he lived in Bethel, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Sitka, working primarily in home construction and building maintenance.
Steve lived in Bethel from 1979 through 1989, employed as a carpenter for the Lower Yukon School District and by KYUK Radio as a radio engineer. There he met and married Ruth Mute of Kongoginak and they had two children, Shannon Doreen Kowalczewski and Joshua Victor Kowalczewski.
Steve was a master of chess, playing by mail and later via the internet, with others around the world. He worked hard to support his family and took pride in his craftsmanship. An independant thinker, he was a pacifist and retained British citizenship throughout his life.
He is survived by his sister Christina Kowalczewski (Bruce Gazaway) of Sitka; his former wife Ruth Mute Kowalczewski of Kongiganak; daughter Shannon Kowalczewski of Everett, Washington; son Joshua Kowalczewski of Kongiganak; and grandson Samuel McKeeman of Everett, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister Janet Whitner of Lynnwood, Washington.
The family wished to recognize SEARHC medical staff and the members of SEARHC Home Health Agency for the compassionate care provided during his last days.
Steve wanted no public memorial service and his family will inter his ashes in a private ceremony.
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20 YEARS AGO
April 2004
Photo caption: Sitka High students in the guitar music class gather in the hall before the school’s spring concert. The concert was dedicated to music instructor Brad Howey, who taught more than 1,000 Sitka High students from 1993 to 2004. From left are Kristina Bidwell, Rachel Ulrich, Mitch Rusk, Nicholas Mitchell, Eris Weis and Joey Metz.
50 YEARS AGO
April 1974
The Fair Deal Association of Sealaska shareholders selected Nelson Frank as their candidate for the Sealaska Board of Directors at the ANB Hall Thursday.