Edward Anthony Kowalewski

“Kooch”, 89, passed away at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Anne and David Radcliff, on Saturday, October 11, 2014. “Kooch” earned his nickname because of his baseball prowess, especially his batting skills which were compared to Tony Cuccinello, a 15-year major league baseball star from the 1930’s.

Kooch was a native of Wilmington, Delaware, and was born on February 28, 1925. He retired after a 40-year career from Local Union 542, International Union of Operating Engineers. He proudly served his country in World War II in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946.

Above all else, Kooch loved his children and family. He used to cook weekly dinners at their Willis Place home where the whole family would congregate to eat his delicious meals. Besides his family, Kooch loved crabbing and fishing, mainly in lower Delaware or Wye Mills, Maryland. After retirement, he made crab nets by hand and became well known as “The Crab Net Man.” He was also an amazing carpenter and carved wooden names which he sold at many festivals, including the Brandywine Arts Festival. Kooch carved the sign “The Stone Balloon” which graced its entrance door until it closed in 2005.

Edward was the son of the late John and Stanislawa (Swieskowski) Kowalewski and was predeceased by his first-born child, Jeanne Cherico, in 2010. He was also predeceased by his siblings, Frances “Hedy” Poliafico, Henry Kowalewski, Veronica Jurski, and Victoria Kowalewski.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine M. Kowalewski; daughters, Anne Radcliff (David); Donna DiSalvo (Butch); Barbara Vent (David); and one son, John Kowalewski, Sr. (Carol).  He is survived by 9 grandchildren: Amy Cherico Brainard (Matt); Melissa Cherico Daihl (Kyle); Bryan Radcliff; Jennifer DiSalvo; Andrew DiSalvo; Christine Kowalewski; John Kowalewski, Jr.; Amanda Vent; Katie Vent; and his very special great-granddaughter, Alyssa DiSalvo. He is survived by one brother, Alfred Kowalewski, and his wife Lilly of New Castle, Delaware.

The Kowalewski family cannot possibly express their love and gratitude for those who helped care for Kooch during his last days, especially Cookie, Audrey, Liz, Trudy, and Fay. We also cannot express enough gratitude and appreciation to his ever-faithful neighbors, Mark and Luz Corrigan and family, as well as Roy and Barbara Morgan.

Visitation will be at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE, 19808, on Thursday, October 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Cedar and Clayton Streets, Wilmington, DE, 19805, on Friday, October 17, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at All Saints Cemetery where he will rest in peace near his beloved daughter, Jeanne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Chesapeake Bay Foundation “Save the Blue Crab”, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403.

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