WEBSTER - Walter B. Gontowski, Sr., 94, passed away in his sleep on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at the Lanessa Extended Care Facility in Webster. He was born on April 13, 1917, in Webster to the late Frank and Pauline (Taraszkiewicz) Gontowski.
Walter “Bill” was well known for his musical abilities having mastered the trumpet and many other musical instruments. Groups that he played with during his 60 years of playing the trumpet included the “Lwowska Orchestra”, “The Four Aces”, and 40 years with his son Walter Jr.’s group “Wally G and his Harmony Kings”. His grandson Brian Gontowski played along with him and his dad in that group for 15 years. Anyone who has listened to Webster’s own Pulaski Brass Band either at concerts or parades has surely heard Walter Sr. on trumpet. He was also trumpeter for the American Legion for many years.
Mr. Gontowski was a member of Saint Joseph Basilica. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and gardening, especially tomatoes.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Stasia (Marcinczyk) Gontowski; his daughter, Carole (Allard) Holley and her husband Paul of Waleska, Georgia; and his son, Walter S. Gontowski Jr. and his wife Rose-Marie of Prescott, Arizona. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; a great great grandson and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his brother, Stanley Gontowski who was a recipient of the Purple Heart; his twin sister, Gladys Borowski, sisters Josephine Weiss, Harriet Moradian and Helen Krawczyk as well as his son-in-law Alfred Allard.
The funeral will be held Saturday, February 11, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace. A calling period will be from 8:15 to 9:15 AM Saturday in the funeral home. Donations may be made to Saint Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street, Webster, MA 01570.