Raymond R. Kowal

Mr. Kowal, the son of Walter and Katherine, step-son of Lucy, was born and raised in Manville, NJ. He had lived in Bridgewater, NJ since 1953 before moving to Florida in 1991.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1952 as an airplane mechanic on the Carrier USS Leyte CV-32.

He was a Master Plumber for over 50 years working for Carl A. Dudeck & Son and Rutgers University as Maintenance Supervisor and Foreman, retiring in 1991 .

He belonged to N.J. State League of Master Plumbers Association. He served as President of the Somerset Valley Master Plumbers Association.

A long time member of Fourth Reformed Church of Somerville, NJ, Raymond also served as an Elder in the congregation.

He was a member of the Grasshoppers Club in Manville, NJ.

Raymond was a member of Veterans Post #142 Pompano Beach and B.P.O.Elks Lodge #1898 Pompano Beach where he was a popular Bingo caller, served on the Veterans Affairs committee , and helper with the Yard Gang.

Raymond enjoyed helping others with his plumbing expertise. He was always doing odd jobs for family members and the Church whenever called upon. He enjoyed gardening, growing oranges, bananas and mangoes. He was an avid bowler and bowled for the Kowal Team and Church Team. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father, brother Richie and sons Robert and Alan. He loved to travel, have family picnics and go on vacations. He was always known to take spur of the moment trips.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Caroline Dudeck Kowal, his sons, Robert Raymond Kowal (wife Sarah) of Hillsborough, NJ , Alan Gary Kowal (wife Halina) of Wallington, NJ, his brother Dennis J. Kowal (wife Susan) also of Hillsborough, NJ ,his sister Faith Byk of Connecticut and his sister-in-law Carol S. Kowal of Bridgewater, NJ. He is predeceased by his brother Richard R. Kowal.

Raymond will be missed by his grandchildren: Michael, David and John Kowal, Kelly Harrison and Amanda Hanson; his step-granddaughters: Lisa Hall, Lori Hubbard, and Carrie Armstrong.

And his great granddaughters: Ava and Charlotte Harrison, Camila Kowal and Madeleine Kowal and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Forest Lawn North, 200 W. Copans Road, Pompano Beach,Fl 33064 on Thursday Evening March 19, 2015 viewing from 5 pm to 8 pm. The burial is on Friday March 20, 2015 at 11:00 am. www.forestlawnnorth.com

On Thursday, March 19, 2015 , the Elks Service will take place at 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to P.B.O.Elks Lodge #1898 ,700 N.E. 10th Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33060 or VITAS Hospice, 5420 NW 33rd Avenue, Suite 100, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 or vitascommunityconnection.org