Robert C. Kowalski

PAXTON: Robert C. Kowalski,69, of Paxton, died suddenly on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 while sailing in Rhode Island Sound. He died in his wife's arms while on "Ardent", his beloved boat, which he had totally and lovingly renovated by hand. My wonderful husband, Bob, was a skilled furniture and design craftsman. He opened Kowalski Furniture Design over 50 years ago. Bob was born in Arlington, VA, on March 12, 1956, the son of Walter D. Kowalski and Mary I. Woods. He leaves his loving wife of 48 years, Darcey A. Porter, of Paxton. He also leaves a sister, Mariann Kowalski of Fairfax, VA, and Sister-in-Law, Denise Kowalski, wife of Bob's brother Donald Kowalski, who preceded Bob in death. Bob leaves many first and second cousins who loved him and whom he loved dearly. All will miss him. Bob, a very experienced and avid sailor, was talented enough to do just about anything, and was courageous and willing enough to try just about everything. He was blessed with a best friend, (outside of marriage, that is) David D Blanar. David taught him many things, the most important being to pay everything forward to ensure a full and happy quality of life. Bob was very aware of his surroundings and was always at the ready to help someone in need. Bob retired from his furniture business in 2015 and set out to fulfill his life's dream: to meticulously outfit a J-32 sailboat for ocean sailing. He successfully, single -handedly sailed from Portsmouth, RI to St. Thomas, USVI, in about 12 days on his 32 foot sailboat. One night, he was caught in a terrible storm, the event Darcey thought was going to take her husband's life.  Instead, he saw himself through the rough seas and enjoyed an almost 2-year adventure in the Caribbean. Darcey visited for 12 days intervals 4 times. It was while in the Caribbean he met Greg(moon) and Natalie, who befriended him and became his family away from home. One afternoon that holds a particular memory for Darcey was when she and Bob were walking along the sandy shores of a beach. There was an older, gray - haired man wading in the water. Bob sensed something, and went into the water and, approaching the man, asked, "Hey, my brother, do you need a hand?" Little did Bob or Darcey know that this man had left his walking aids up in the sand when he'd gone into the water to cool off. He'd gotten caught out in that water, unable to get back. Bob came just in time. This was just one of many examples of Bob's ability to, somehow, see people's needs and just fill them. Once, Bob was helping a group of strangers when someone approached him. "Aren't you afraid to help people you don't know, people who are so different from you?" he was asked.
"My brother from another mother, Bob said with a smile, "Should I be?" Bob felt comfortable around people and instinctively knew who was trustworthy. He had only a few friends, but they were very close to him, and the kind that would do anything for him. And they did.
Following Bob's wishes, friends are invited to hold happy memories of Bob in your hearts in lieu of attending any formal service. A word online here or directly to Darcey very welcome and appreciated. She is planning a small gathering near Paxton, MA to celebrate his life, well -lived. For East Coast family members, Darcey looks forward to arranging personal visits to privately celebrate Bob's life through stories and shared memories. Thank you all. Darcey