We Remember
SOWINSKI, Joe
—
Passed away peacefully at his home with his wife at his side on the morning of December 8th, 2014. Joe was born on August 2nd, 1933 in Tarnopol Saskatchewan and moved to British Columbia in 1961. He is predeceased by his mother Marcella, his father John, and his brother Frank.
Joe started his teaching career in a one-room country school in Tarnopol in 1953. As a continuous learner, after saving some money he left Tarnopol three years later to completed his first university degree from the University of Saskatchewan. Once he completed his first degree, he joined the provincial government and taught public health in Saskatchewan for a year. After teaching in the public school system again for a year in first Sturgis then Lac La Ronge he moved to Nelson in 1961. He finally settled in Kelowna in 1964 teaching at KSS, George Elliot, and on finally at the brand new Okanagan Mission Secondary School. During his travels in the 1960’s he also taught for a short time in Richmond and completed his second degree at the University of British Columbia. Joe had a passion for teaching and guiding young minds and worked for years as a school district department head and champion for education.
In 1968 he met the love of his life Kathy Sowinski in Kelowna at the badminton club. They were married on Kathy’s 26th birthday on June 28th, 1969. Together they purchased a hobby farm and raised a family in Kelowna. Kathy and Joe have two sons Marc and Jason, two daughter in laws Jane and Tammy, and four grandchildren – Matthew, Sara, Ava, and Isaac. Later in life, they both enjoyed an active retirement filled with travel, friends, and family. Joe and Kathy have been blessed with many supportive friends who have continued to be an active part of their lives in sickness and in health. Joe’s entire loving family were with him in the last days and are thankful for all the time that they were able to share with him.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 16th at 10:30 am at St. Charles Garnier Parish, 3645 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the ALS society. Donations may be made on their website at www.als.ca or at Joe’s memorial service.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Location
St. Charles Garnier Parish
Please accept our condolences and we will miss our visits with our great friend Joe. Joe was always pleasant and willing to share himself with us. Our thoughts are with you Kathy and with your sons, daughter in laws and especially your grandchildren.
Dan and Kathy
We had a lot of good times golfing, square dancing, travelling together, camping at Halcyon. We will miss Joe so much. All our love to our dear friend Kathy
Kathy and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Wish we could be back home at this time, take care, love Lynda
It is with heavy hearts that we send our deepest sympathy to all who knew him. He was a very special person that will now only live in our hearts.
Kathy,Mark,Jason and families. Thinking of you and we want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers we know Joe will be remembered forever in your hearts. May God fill the days ahead with an outpouring of His love and grace. xoxo Roger/Erika
Kathy, Marc, Jason and families.
Our deepest sympathies on your loss. You were a great neighborhood family! I loved Joe’s smile. May God be your strength Kathy.
As a colleague at OKM, I watched Joe, who was a master teacher, make math and physics reachable for his students.He knew the material, he liked the kids and he was much sought after by those who wanted the kind of clarity he brought to difficult courses.My own son was one of them so my perspective is doubled. My sympathy to Kathy and the rest of the family at the loss of this warm and dignified man.
Mickey Patryluk
I was so saddened to hear of the loss of our great friend and teacher, Joe. He will always remain in my mind as the very best teacher and friend that I was blessed to know. What an honorable personal memory.
So sorry to hear this. He was one of my all-time favourite teachers at George Elliott.
My condolences to the family. I had Mr. Sowinski as a homeroom teacher and math teacher for most of my years at OKM. He was always great and approachable. Sorry for your loss.
Mr Sowinski was my teacher at OKM in the late 80’s. I remember him as a kind and gentle man and an amazing teacher that had a true connection with the kids. He almost made algebra and physics fun. My condolences to the family.
Mr. Sowinski was my favourite Math teacher for grade 11 and 12 at KSS. He made it so interesting and challenging. He will be sadly missed but always fondly remembered.
Dearest Kathy, and family..I send my sincerest condolences. What a special guy Joe was! Being a caregiver for Joe I was honoured to care for him.What a sweet, nice, thoughtful, caring, man. Joe was always so interested in me,asking how I was, or where have I travelled to now. So selfless, and always happy. He will be missed. And my dearest Kathy you are an inspiration, you are an amazing NURSE! Never wavering, always calm, sweet, kind,gentle,loving, Joe was so lucky to have you care for him. I pray for your whole family, I pray healing will be speedy,and you will embrace the memories, precious memories, he has given you and your family. God bless you, with love Lesley CHW, Interior Health P.S. And thank you for all the yummy muffins and coffee!
Dear Kathy, Marc, Jason, Jane, Tammy and family. My heart is saddened by your loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I was very fond of Joe. He was one of the nicest people I have ever known in my life. I will cherish forever, the wonderful times we shared. He will be truly missed.
To all the Sowinskis, but especially Marc, Jane, Sara and Matthew, I send my heart felt sympathy in what must be a sad time. My your many fond memories of Joe help you through this tough time as they will in the many years to come. He was a good and kind man. Uncle Sandy
Dear Kathy, we were so saddened to read about Joe’s passing. We will remember him for the great times we shared at square dances. Our condolences to you and your family. Lyle and Cindy
Kathy, I was so sad to see that Joe had passed away. I remember the last time we were all Square Dancing at Kelowna Wagon Wheels and how much fun we had in the square. Joe was always smiling and had everyone else smiling as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will not be able to be at the service as other commitments are in the way but will definitely be thinking of you.
Lynda Bjalek
He taught us physics and math 33 years ago – Everyone loved him and he was a born teacher. I will remember him as a kind, gentle and tolerant guy. he had a gift in teaching kids and he will be missed. my sincere condolences to his family. a special man.
Dear Kathy and family,
I was saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. He was a true gentleman and will be missed by all who loved him. May your precious memories of Joe will keep him in your hearts forever.
Sincere condolences, Elizabeth Folk
Dear Kathy,
We are so saddened in hearing about Joe’s passing. I (Karen) feel so blessed to have visited with Joe and yourself this past summer. I will always remember Joe as my smiling teacher at George Elliot.
God bless you and your family at this time.
Karen and Ted Van der Gulik
I’m gonna miss our coffee times we had together and his sense of humour that brings me to laughter. These are the times with him that I am gonna truly miss and my sympathy goes out with the family who have treated me like their own family. He will be truly missed.
Dear Kathy,Marc,Jason,Jane and Tammy,and the 4 grandchildren.I’m sorry to hear of your loss,sending You all my Deepest Sympathy at this sadden time,May Joe’s wonderful memmories stay with you all forever.May God heal your pain and give you all strength to go on.
Marlene Kish. (nee Roy)
I was saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. Kathy I am thinking of you and your family as you celebrate Joe’s remarkable life..Hugs Dianna
Kathy,
Please accept our deepest sympathies on the passing of Joe.
Tony & Lupita Paton
Kathy & family . . . so saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. What a true gentleman he was not to mention his outstanding skills as a teacher. I so enjoyed the 5 years that I worked with Joe at OKM. Always a positive contributor to making school and education relevant for young people. So glad I got to spend some time with him in September. Lots of great memories of our years at OKM. You’re in our thoughts and prayers, Kathy, Marc & Jason as you mourn your loss. Cherish your memories and the wonderful times you shared.
Love, Bernie & Ev
The Schredl family sends you our sympathy and prayers. Joe was a fine man, a great teacher who has impacted our children greatly in their lives and careers, and has truly made a difference. May God reward him eternally with His Love and Peace!
Mr. Sowinski was my teacher for several years at OKM, and I really enjoyed learning from him. He was a great man and professor. All the best to Marc and family. James, Natasha, Koa and Maléa Scramstad
I was not one of Joe’s best students at George Elliot, but I remember him as one of my favourite teachers. He was so patient and had a great sense of humour – a bright twinkle in his eye and a warm smile. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. My deepest condolences.
Dear Marc and family – I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. I have fond memories of him as my math teacher at OKM, and will always thinking of him standing at the blackboard and ready to introduce a new problem to solve. His introduction was always: “Supposing….”
Lynn Watts
I am very sorry for the loss. I am a friend of Jason’s from Denmark and though I never met Mr. Sowinski, I am very sorry for the family in dealing with this loss. Regretfully yours, Sam