Joseph Phillip Kolowski
Joseph Phillip Kolowski died peacefully on Saturday, December 31, 2021 at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. He was surrounded by his family.
Joe was the beloved husband to Margaret Mary Martin Kolowski. The couple shared 50 years of love, friendship, laughter and marriage. He often spoke of how lucky he was to have met his wife at a VFW singles dance in 1970. He proposed two and a half months later.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Joe was the son of the late Frank and Aniela (Nellie) Kolowski and brother of the late John Kolowski. He worked for many years for Richardson-Vicks, and later Proctor & Gamble as a plant worker, walking through the woods every morning to work where a great-horned owl would occasionally greet him. But his focus was always his family, and he was happiest at home, an attentive, caring and joyful father and husband. He was a devout Catholic, and his faith was woven into every part of his life.
Joe loved being outside and was not content without a daily walk. He had a deep appreciation for the preserved open spaces and farmlands of Bucks County, and would engage many neighbors in long, enthusiastic conversation on his daily explorations.
His passion for Philadelphia sports teams was surpassed only by his love of cinema. He lived and breathed the classic MGM musicals and possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Hollywood, particularly anything that occurred before 1960. No trivia was too trivial…and these films brought him a huge amount of joy nearly every day of his life. His favorite films included “Meet me in St. Louis”, “The Yearling”, “King’s Row” and “A Place in the Sun”...and anything with Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly. Take some time to watch some of these, experience the “movie magic” he so often talked of, and think of him.
In addition to his wife, Margaret “Peg”, Joseph will be missed by his children, Mary T. Bourdow and her husband Gary, Meg M. Craig and her husband Thomas, Joseph M. Kolowski and his wife Valentine, and Matthew M. Kolowski and his wife Amanda. Joseph will be remembered by his grandchildren, Jack, Madeline, Emma, Riley, Sophie, Finnegan and James.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet Joseph’s family on Friday, January 7, 2022 from 10:00 am, until the start of his Funeral Mass, 11:00 am, at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church, 100 Broad Street in Hilltown, PA 18927. His interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA, 19150.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Joe’s name to the Land Trust of Bucks County, which works to protect and preserve the farmland, wildlife habitats, and open space that meant so much to Joe. Do so by sending a donation to their memorial fund at Land Trust of Bucks County, P. O. Box 208, Bedminster, PA 18910 and including Joe’s name. You can also donate directly to the organization online (https://landtrustbuckscounty.org/donate.cfm).
Morning Visitation
Friday, January 7th, 2022
10:00 AM - 11:00 AMOur Lady of the Sacred Heart
100 Broad Street
Hilltown, PA 18927Funeral Mass
Friday, January 7th, 2022
11:00 AMOur Lady of the Sacred Heart
100 Broad Street
Hilltown, PA 18927Cemetery
Friday, January 7th, 2022
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
3301 West Cheltenham Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19150