Alex S Kowalsky Sr.

ALEX S. KOWALSKY was born in East Chicago, Indiana on February 23, 1933, to father Stephen Kowalsky and mother Olga Kowalsky. The youngest of his two siblings, George Kowalsky and Dorothy Haney (Kowalsky) both deceased, he always had a zest for life and his ambition and hard work was second to none.
He is survived by his ex-wife MaryEllen Kowalsky (Zivich) – a long marriage of 33 years - and four children Alex S. Kowalsky II & wife Allison Kowalsky-Lemon (deceased), Jacqulyn Kowalsky and husband Manuel Oliva, Dean A. Kowalsky, and Kolten Kowalsky (Matthew) & wife Reiza Kowalsky; and grandchildren Alex S. Kowalsky III (AJ), Amber Johnson (Kowalsky) and husband Steve Johnson, Katya Oliva Kowalsky and Tatianna Oliva Kowalsky; great-granddaughter Ashlyn Kowalsky; and many nieces and nephews and good buddies.
That hard work ethics started back when Alex was at Roosevelt High School in East Chicago, where he became State Champion in wrestling.
After graduating, he went on to join the US Army and was stationed near Orion, France.
Alex married Mary Ellen Zivich. While working he also played on an amateur baseball league for the “Sam & Henry Indians Team” in East Chicago for a few years. He was an outstanding catcher!
Then, he landed a very good job at the Mercantile Bank in the data processing department in Hammond, Indiana. Once again, that ambition and hard work continued to shine through and he was made Vice President of that Hammond branch.
But that wasn’t enough, he went on to be hired by Gary National Bank, a much bigger and more important bank, in the data processing department, which was a significant promotion for him.
After some years, he left that bank to fill the position of Vice President and General Manager of Aetna Data Procession Company in Chicago Heights, Illinois, which provided data processing services to major banks and multinationals. This growth helped bring economic prosperity to the Kowalsky family. He held this prestigious job for many years. Unfortunately, the company was bought out by another one and many changes had to be made, including decisions to downsize.
Alex’s ambition never ceased, so when he left Aetna, he founded his own data processing company called “Computer Solutions” in Hammond, which brought him to near retirement age. He decided to close down the business.
The drive to keep busy and to continue working was never ending, so he got a job at the University of Valparaiso in Indiana in the computer department that was his passion and expertise.
After that, to finish off his career, he finally ended up working at the Hammond Police Station in the booking department as a diligent senior citizen.
During his long and fulfilling life, he was:
- an active member at the Optimist Club in Hammond Indiana for numerous years
- a member of the infamous social club the “Hammond Jaycees”
- one of the charter members of the OMNI-41 Health Club, Schererville, IN (now called Franciscan Health Fitness Centers) (member for about 45 years!)
- a master golfer! Golfing was his passion and also used it to clinch business deals. He won many Trophies, Honors, Awards and Plaques in Tournaments and Competitions. Alex was lucky enough to play all around the USA and in Southern Spain as well.
Last, but not least, in his early 80s this incredible man won various medals – gold, silver and bronze – at the National Senior Games (“Senior Olympics”) where he participated twice in the javelin and discus throw.
Hats off to this outstanding, successful man….. ALEX S. KOWALSKY!!
Dear Dad, Grandpa, Father-in-law, Close Friend, Mr. Kowalsky . . . May you rest in peace! May God bless you! We ALL miss and love you!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alex S Kowalsky Sr., please visit our floral store.