Leonard I. Kownurko, of Holland, PA died on Friday, February 11, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family. He was 87.
He was the beloved husband of 60 years to Marcella “Ruth” Smith Kownurko.
Born at home in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Ignatius N. and Vara Shimanskaya Kownurko, and the first U.S. citizen in his family.
Raised in Philadelphia, he was fortunate to have attended Thaddeus Stevens Practice School, an elite elementary school, Central High School and Drexel University. However, his first year at Drexel was temporarily interrupted when he joined the Army Air Corps and served his country during World War II. After his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Drexel, graduating in 1948. Upon his graduation he was hired to work with Rudd Melikan in Hatboro, which was the first company to create a machine which could brew coffee and sell it through a vending machine. He returned to Drexel where he continued his studies and in 1954 received his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering.
In 1955 he found a position with Philco Corp. in Philadelphia where he stayed for over 33 years, including a long assignment in the International Division, where he directed the set up of Philco appliance plants in Europe and Asia.
Leonard was a dedicated member of his community. He served with the Northampton Township Fire Department for many years and was integral in the creation and establishment of Fire Station #73 in Holland. He enjoyed fishing; both fly and surf, was skillful with his hands and enjoyed working on model airplanes and rockets. He was especially proud of how carefully he restored his Dampf-Kraft-Wagen “DKW” car. However, he was most skillful and most comfortable when he was on the tennis court playing with his friends.
In addition to his beloved wife he is survived by his four sons Nicholas Kownurko and his wife Virginia of Newtown, William Kownurko and his wife Laura Raybourn of West Chester, Robert Kownurko and his wife Lisa of North Wales, and Kirk Kownurko and his wife Karen of Washington Crossing. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing from 9:30am until his Funeral Service 11:30am on Monday, February 21, 2011 at the Northampton Presbyterian Church, 539 Buck Road, Holland, PA 18966. His interment will be held at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Lung Association of Southeastern PA, 527 Plymouth Rd., Suite 403, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 or Northampton Township Fire Department, Station #73, 551 East Holland Road, Holland, PA 18966.