KOWBEL,
Mac
After a short but hard fought battle with cancer, Mytro "Mac" Richard Kowbel passed away in Victoria on Nov. 9, 2003 at 7:45 am with his loving wife of 33 years Grace, his son Karl and family friend Gloria by his side.
Mac was born at home in Keliher, Saskatchewan on Nov. 7, 1930. He lived on the family farm until he was 14. He moved to Nanaimo, B.C. with his mother, stepfather and siblings John, Stella, Nat, Rose, Marcella, and Emil in 1944. One year later, Mac started his career in logging working as a whistle punk for Ralph Liebel of Reliable Logging. By age 21, he was logging supervisor for Mr. Liebel.
Mac married Sheila Marine Killam in 1951, and they had 5 sons together. In 1961, Mac and his family moved to Rock Bay to log. Sheila passed away from Cancer in 1970. In 1971, he married Grace in Campbell River and their blended family became 8 sons and 1 daughter.
Mac was in logging for 52 years and truly loved his life’s work and nature. In 1984, Mac posed for carver Dean Lemke for the statue of the high rigger up the pole, which still stands in downtown Campbell River. Mac was involved in Navy League for years and also served in the army reserves. He was a friend to all who met him, always had time for people, was a great listener and storyteller, and never hesitated to help a stranger in need. Mac was a born traveler who loved nothing more than hitting the road, heading down south with Grace and the dogs in the motorhome.
Mac is survived by his wife Grace, his Scottie dogs Edward and Peri, his sons Kurt (Sue), Kerry, Steven, Kalvin (Jeanette), Kimberley (Roseline), Marreno (Debbie), Karl (Grace), Kevin (Lorraine), and daughter Tammy (Brian), and stepdad Nick Zemlak. He has 20 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, plus many nieces and nephews, who will miss their Grampa and uncle very much.
Mac is predeceased by his first wife Sheila, his father Alexander, mother Annie, brothers John and Emil, mother-in-law Amy Vanstone, brother-in-laws Norman Vanstone and Lawrence Lofstrom, and daughter-in-law Helinda "Lin" Kowbel.
Thanks to all of you who sent your kind thoughts and took the time to visit Mac in the hospital in Campbell River and Victoria, and especially to Gloria for her support in Victoria during the past two months.
A viewing will be held at St. Peters Anglican Church, 228 South Dogwood on Monday, November 17th from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Services will be held at St. Peters Anglican Church on Tuesday, November 18th at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mac’s memory to the Campbell River Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 811, Campbell River, B.C. V9W 6Y4.
ISLAND FUNERAL
& CREMATION SERVICES
#103-909 Island Highway
287-3366