The Biography

Alex Kowbel passed away peacefully on Jan 20, 2024 at the age of 101 at the Perley Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. Alex grew up in Melville, Saskatchewan, the fourth of seven children of Nick and Julia (Szaroz) Kowbel. Alex enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1939 at age 17. He served in England and Europe primarily with the 2nd Canadian Army Group Royal Artillery (2AGRA). He landed in Normandy a few weeks after D Day in June 1944, and participated in the liberation of Holland in 1945. After the war, Alex attended the University of Saskatchewan. He continued his military career primarily in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corp. (RCASC), serving in Korea and Japan and at various Canadian Forces bases and Headquarters in Ottawa. Alex retired from the military in 1971 and joined the Environmental Protection Service. He retired in 1978 and moved to Foymount Ontario where he enjoyed country living and was an active member of the Eganville branch of The Royal Canadian Legion.