Kurzawski, Carl R. (Retired Navy)
Carl R. “Ski” Kurzawski formerly of Philadelphia passed away suddenly at the age of 90 on January 14th, 2021 in Sewell NJ. Born and raised in Rochester NY, he joined the US Navy at age 17 where he proudly served his country. Ski settled in Philadelphia, where he retired from the Navy out of the Philadelphia Naval Yard at the rank of Boatswains Mate Chief Petty Officer.
Survived by sister Barbara (Gerald) Millard, nieces Cassandra (Michael) Horihan and Valerie Millard, great nephew & niece Andrew and Grace Horihan. Dear friend and caretaker Lilli Anne (Dan) Eggers, JaJa to Kerri (Mike) Camm, Tara (Andrew) Noe, Linzi Eggers, and Mya Eggers. Remembered fondly by his nephew and nieces of the Powanda family.
Predeceased by his wife Helen (nee Powanda) Kurzawski, and best friend Florence “Totsy” Riley, parents Leo Kurzawski & Bernice Wardynski Sutton.
Ski loved to entertain, doing a great impersonation of Charlie Chaplin, was an avid sports fan of the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. He kept close friendships with his Navy buddies through the years, enjoyed the theater, sharing a beer with a friend, taking road trips in his car, spending time at the casino and boardwalk at the Jersey shore. You might’ve found him out for coffee with the local priest or delivering pound cakes to the nurses and therapists at the nearby medical facilities who provided care to him and Totsy. He often wrote letters to politicians and the paper, drawing comics he submitted for publishing. He was dedicated to his family and friends, always taking care of those in need. He visited his family in his hometown often, celebrating holidays and life events. Ski was kind, funny, and generous, and a wonderful storyteller of the full life he led. Some of his favorite phrases were “get out”, “I’ll see ya when I see ya” “love ya” and “over and out”. He was determined to return to his home in Philadelphia. He was liked by all and loved by many.
Visitation will be held at the Resurrection of Our Lord Church, 2000 Shelmire Ave., Philadelphia, PA, 19152 on Friday January 22, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 am, followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30 am (Live streaming on Resurrection of Our Lord Facebook Page). Private family burial and military honors will be held at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Victor, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Pediatric Gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655.
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