Donald Fowler

CHESHIRE - Donald K. Fowler, 91, passed away Sunday February 13, 2011 at Bradley Memorial Hospital in Southington. He was the husband of Nancy (Omicioli) Fowler.

Mr. Fowler was born June 27, 1919 in Hamden, the son of the late Charles and Lillian (Bly) Fowler. He was a 1937 graduate of Hamden High School and spent four years in the Army Air Corps., where his received helicopter training at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio.

Mr. Fowler retired from Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford after 38 years of service. During those 38 years he worked as a helicopter mechanic and after many dedicated years, became a factory manager. The highlight of his career, he was selected by the Navy in 1949 to serve as flight engineer on the aircraft carrier Saipan for a downed aircraft rescue mission in Newfoundland.

Mr. Fowler was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and play golf. He achieved local notoriety by making hole-in-one at age 79 then again at age 80.

Besides his wife of 65 years, Mr. Fowler is survived by his son Donald R. Fowler and his wife Virginia of Cheshire; his daughter Paula Fowler Polaski and her husband David of Cheshire; his brother Edward Fowler of Hamden; his grandchildren Gregory K. and Danielle of Cheshire; as well as his great grandchildren Allison and Avery. He is predeceased by his brothers William Raymond, and Kenneth Fowler and his sisters Olive Anderson, Doretta Messore and Loretta Wooding.

Arrangements - Funeral services will be held on Thursday February 17, 2011, 9:15 from the Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. to St. Thomas Becket Church for Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park in New Haven. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas Becket Church 435 N. Brooksvale Rd., Cheshire, CT 06410.