Obituary of Douglas William Kosolowski

KOSOLOWSKI – Douglas William of St Thomas passed away peacefully at the St Thomas-Elgin General Hospital with family at his side on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the age of 73. Beloved father of Devin (Shania) Kosolowski and grandfather to Thea, Meah and Silvia. Douglas will be missed by his sister Karen (late Vaughn) Dahl, step children Tannis, Dayne, Fawn and Shawn; niece Melanie (Dan) Mackay-King and nephews Keith and Dan Arvelin. Predeceased by parents William and Dorothy (2022) Kosolowski. 

Formerly of Current River, Thunder Bay Doug was a graduate of Lakeview High-school where he attended with a close-knit group of CR boys. As a bright student Doug accelerated in grade school. Although, a bit of a class clown he was diligent and quick to complete his lessons. He enjoyed participating in baseball, hockey and golf. His musical interests were varied and he also played piano, trumpet, guitar and his stereo very loud.  His love for fishing and hunting began in his early years accompanying grandpa Alf and his father into the Black Sturgeon area. Deep water angling for lake trout in Pringle Lake was his passion. Doug was known for his wit and humour which enhanced his skill as a story teller. Many humorous tales were narrated around the campfire where he entertained friends and family with tales of hunting mishaps and fishing follies while enjoying line oil around the campfire at Sturge Lake.

His work life was definitely a sense of pride. During his 30 plus years working on various projects at the Port Arthur Ship Building Company Ltd. He filled the position of Boilermaker, Lofts man, Layout man/Assistant Foreman. He was occasionally on the job in the boiler shop with his father, Bill, uncle Alex, and cousin Terry. 

Primarily working in the fabrication shop, his skills were second to none. While also playing hands-on roles in planning, scheduling, manpower allocation, blueprint reading, layout, dimensional checks and final weld inspections. He worked on countless projects including construction of barges, 150 foot Bow sections of both the Atlantic Superior and John B. Aird, self-unloading lake freighters, major conversions of lake freighter Saganeay, Whitefish Bay and Nipigon Bay into self-unloaders. As well as countless pulp and paper industry drums, tanks, buckets and pressure vessels. Projects were more often than not delivered on time and under budget under his conscientious leadership.

In 2010 following the closing of PASCOL in 2007, Doug relocated to New Westminister B.C. where he continued to work in industrial fab at Ebco industries, and then Canron until his retirement at age 65. Once retired he relocated to St Thomas where he would reside with his son and daughter in-law. During this time he loved to go out onto Lake Erie in Devin's boat with his three granddaughters. They would catch large pickerel and rainbow trout while he passed on stories of fishing trips past. 

For his granddaughters these memories of times together under the open sky on the rolling waves combined with the shared tales are part of the family story that has become our legacy.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Shawn Jackson Funeral Home 31 Elgin Street, St. Thomas (519-631-0570).  Personal condolences to the family can be made at www.sjfh.ca