Steven John Kurowski

Steven J. Kurowski began his life’s adventure on July 5^th, 1957. He was born into the quiet, loving, and supportive home of Benjamin and Sadie Zeglin Kurowski and older brother Paul. The family moved to Scotia, N.Y. when Steve was a young child and he and Paul spent hours playing in the neighborhood and riding their dirt bikes in the woods. Sadie used to say that they never argued, and they have always remained close, sharing many interests, and talking on the phone.

The family spent their summers at the cottage Ben and Sadie built on The Great Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondacks Mountains of New York. He and Paul explored the shoreline, rode bikes, did yard work and went on boat rides with their dad. “The Camp” would figure largely in Steve’s life until it was sold in 2013. He even lived there through one very cold and snowy Adirondack winter as a young man.

Motorized ‘anything’ caught Steve’s attention and if he could ride it or race it, even better! He Ice raced motorcycles, rode snowmobiles, drove boats and jet skis and loved to skim the water on his surf jet board. He owned many motorcycles from a Harley Davidson chopper to BMWs and vintage BSAs and Triumphs. In the 1990s, he bought a 1959 “basket case” Triumph TR3A, that he fully restored to pristine condition over 10 years. That car became his pride and joy and with it he made many friends and won lots of trophies. He was a longtime member of the Adirondack Triumph Association and Triumphs of SW Florida and a current member of the British Car Club of SW Florida. Steve was always willing to share his knowledge and the occasional spare part with his fellow LBC owners.

Steve and his wife Sue met in 2006 at a Halloween party and their connection was immediate. They both felt that they had finally found their person, the one they had been searching for all their lives. They made many memories of vacations, parties, and idyllic days on the boat at camp, with their families and friends. Sue helped Steve renovate and restore his stone cottage in East Berne, NY and then finally create a home together in Buckingham, FL. Steve poured his heart and soul into all of his homes and created spaces that were eclectic and made people feel welcome. Steve and Sue were married on a snowy December night in 2012 in Schuylerville, NY. They lived in the cottage on “The Hill” where they had fallen in love and watched many beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the porch. They slowly moved to Florida each fall and finally tired of being snowbirds and became fulltime Floridians in 2018. Steve never looked back. He loved his new warm weather home and gladly traded his giant snowblower for an endless variety of lawn tools and mowers that he could use year-round! He completed a meticulous transformation to his newest abode and was always planning his next project. He really could do it all and hated the thought of paying anyone else to work on his home.

In between house projects, Steve loved to go to the beach, sit under the umbrella and enjoy a cold one (or two!). He and Sue loved being able to listen to outdoor music and watch sunsets over the water and exploring the countryside in the Triumph. He always enjoyed hosting friends and family who came each Winter and Spring to escape the frozen North. He dearly loved our dog Gabe and their morning walks around the Circle, always coming home to report meeting a new friend or quickly hopping on the golf cart to go retrieve a roadside treasure. No doubt he and Gabe are going for long walks and playing with a tennis ball again.

In his 30’s and 40’s, Steve became an avid and expert downhill skier. He was an active member of The Out Of Control Ski Club and skied in Europe, Canada, the Western U.S. and Vermont. He shared his love and expertise with many newbies and made lifelong friends along the way. He even surprised Sue with a ski trip to Mont Tremblant, Canada for her 50^th birthday.

Steve’s career was in Automotive restoration and collision work and his finished work was always perfection. He had an eye for color and could match the toughest paint better than any machine. As much as he liked his work, he almost always refused to work ‘extra’, as lesson he said came from his dad, who always cherished his free time. If Steve agreed to do a side job for you, you could consider yourself a special person in his life. He also loved to work on small engines (his first job) and was always willing to fix a neighbor’s broken mower or lawn tool.

Steve had a very creative and artistic side and sometimes saw the beauty in the weirdest things which occasionally Sue wouldn’t let him bring home. He made stained glass, threw glazed pottery (one of which will be his urn) and even wrote a few poems. He loved to read and had just started a new book about a raft trip down the Mississippi River.

Steve had two stepchildren, Edward W. Fero, Jr. (Jenna Brown) and Elizabeth (Libby) Fekette and Son-in-Law, Cliff Fekette, whom he loved dearly and provided them with support and quiet counsel as well as some great party memories fulfilling the role of “Soldier Steve”. Steve became a Pop-Pop in 2019 to Wyatt Fekette and an incredible bond was formed between them. Pop-Pop’s arms were the preferred riding and viewing spot at 6 feet up for Wyatt even after he walked! They spent many hours playing “Monster Trucks”, cuddled on the couch reading, exploring the garage’s many wonders and riding around the yard on the golf cart. Steve had many plans for the future with Wyatt, including teaching him to drive the TR3 and building him a dirt bike track around the backyard.

Steve leaves behind to cherish their memories, his wife, Susan Davies Fero. Other survivors include his brother Paul and beloved Sister-in Law Patricia Evans, niece Jennifer (Frank) Panzerella and their 3 children and nephew Andrew. In-Laws Wally and Sandy Davies, Sister-in-law E. Atlee Davies, special nephew Matthew Bender and his siblings Jackson, Charlie and Claire. Brother-in -Law Walt Davies and daughter Taylor, and Sister-in Law Marion (Franck) Beaufreton and daughter Charlotte. And many other cousins and extended family. Steve treasured his multitude of friends and truly enjoyed spending time and talking with all of you. He would appreciate the care and love you have given Sue over the past weeks.

Steve will be remembered for his quiet fortitude, friendliness and patience. He had the ability to sit quietly; comfortable in his own skin or bring any party to its’ knees with a cold pitcher of his newest concoction. He would want to be remembered for the smiles and comfort he brought to others. He was a wonderful husband, friend, beloved family member and it is with much sorrow, love and broken hearts that we let him go on to his next adventure.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Details to be announced via www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Donations in Steve’s name can be made to: www.Rottieempirerescue.com or The Berne Davis Botanical Garden at FMLCGC c/o Gail Shaw, Treasurer, 17410 West Carnegie Cir, Fort Myers, FL 33967.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.