Obituary: Wasyl 'Wes' Kowalew, 65

Wasyl “Wes” Kowalew, 65, of Howell Twp. passed away on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at CentraState Medical Center.  Wes was born in Landshut, Germany, came to the U.S. in 1951, and lived in Delaware and Newark before settling in Howell. 

In 1966, he was a member of the first graduating class of Southern Freehold Regional High School (Howell).  Wes was the owner of Howell Electric for over thirty years retiring in 2009.  He also worked for Amtrak and in retirement for Home Depot, Neptune. 

Wes was a life member and ex-chief of the Freewood Acres Fire Company and a member of the Southard Fire Department and a life member of the Howell Twp. Relief and Exempt Associations.  As a founding member of the Howell Twp. Office of Emergency Management, he helped create the Dive Team.  Wes served Howell Twp. as a Fire Commissioner for District #5.  He was tireless and professional volunteer.  Wes loved to hunt and fish.

Wes was predeceased by his parents, Andrej and Juliana Kowalew and his sister, Rita “Riska” Certa.  He is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Edwina “Kaye” Kowalew; two daughters, Barbara Kowalew of Howell Twp. and Brenda Klammer and her husband, Christopher of Jackson; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Sarah Ward; and many friends and neighbors who will miss him very much.

Visiting at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Saturday, December 22, 2012 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 1:00 PM Funeral Service at the Funeral Home on Sunday, December 23, 2012 with the Rev. Philip Matarazzo officiating.  Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Wes may be made to the N.J. Fireman’s Home, 565 Lathrop Ave., Boonton, NJ 07005.  For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.