David L. Kowal

David Leo Kowal, 84, formerly of 21 Case Avenue and 314 McIntosh Drive, Auburn, NY passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday, September 12th, 2024, at The Commons on St. Anthony St. David was born on July 2, 1940, to Justine (Fotinia Orysek) and Michael Kowal of Auburn. He was a graduate of St. Peter and Paul Catholic School, Mt. Carmel High School, and the University of Iowa.
 

Over his early life, David held a position working at A. (George) J. Nicht Seeds and Feed Store at 23 Water Street in Auburn, clerking and stocking alongside other family. Following acquisition of the business by his sister, Mary C. Kowal, the store was renamed Nicht's Garden and Pet Center. David partnered alongside his sister, and later became sole owner following the store's move to 144 Standart Avenue in the early 1970s. Alongside his saintly wife, Mary Catherine (Cathey) Desens Kowal (1941-2022), David operated Nicht’s for almost 30 years, closing the business and retiring in 2000.

Known as "Koko" by his friends growing up and throughout high school, David enjoyed pitching in baseball, and he had a knack for bowling, which was how he met Cathey. Outside his work and family lives, David's passion was the outdoors. He raised many litters of German Shorthaired Pointer and Springer Spaniel dogs; was an avid sportsman-hunter / fisherman; and enjoyed boating on Owasco Lake, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River. Professionally, David went back to school at nights, to Cayuga Community College and SUNY Oswego, pursuing courses in business management and economics. While in retirement, David took up skeet and trap shooting (making his own ammunition reloads), was a self-acclaimed classy winemaker, enjoyed cooking, and volunteered with his wife working Bingo at Sacred Heart Church in Auburn, where he was a parishioner. When asked about his life, David often shared how people remembered his store as the place they went to as children, to "visit the animals" (talk with Charlie the Mynah or Clyde the Macaw, see the monkey, pet the dogs and cats, or admire from afar, the very large boa constrictor or python, while the tarantulas danced in the tanks beneath them). Inevitably, there was always mention about how Nicht's sold cool Pea Shooters and Peas and the occasional bag of smoke balls.

David was predeceased by Cathey in 2022, his loving wife of over 50 years. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his sisters: Mary C., Julia, Helen (Robert Sage), Anastasia ([Nellie] Joseph Boncariwsky), Sophie (Joseph Berry), Elizabeth (Betty) Blaisdell McDonald, Ann ([Barbara] Robert Crawford), and Sister Miriam Claire (Virginia), OSBM, Sisters of St. Basil the Great. He is survived by his only adopted son Christopher and many nieces and nephews. 

In honor of David's memory, donations (financial or outdoor garden supplies) may be made to the Commons on 3 St. Anthony Street in Auburn.

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