Joseph Samuel ‘Sammy’ Kowall Jr. – Monongahela
Joseph Samuel “Sammy” Kowall Jr., of Monongahela, passed away on Nov. 29, 2023, at the age of 54, at Washington Hospital. Surviving to cherish his memory are his parents, Sam and Gloria Kowall; two brothers, Gary (Susan) Kowall of Washington and Brian (Carrie) Kowall of Donora; and nieces and nephews, Brice, Jaidyn, Sadie and Tyler Kowall. Sammy was born on June 3, 1969, and grew up in Donora. He was a 1987 graduate of Charleroi Area High School, after which he proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He worked as senior network support at AT&T in Atlanta, Ga., for 18 years before moving back to Monongahela and starting his own business, Mon Valley Drone. Being a superior drone pilot, videographer, photographer and media editor were his passions. He generously lent these skills to promote the family business, Interstate Golf & Activity Center, where he worked as range manager alongside his brother and dad. He and his best bud, “Eddie the Welsh Terrier” worked tirelessly keeping up the place and were both loved by the staff and the customers. Sammy’s laugh, spunk, wit, work ethic and willingness to make everyone feel welcomed, (along with his drone skills) were what caught the eye of TruFit Marketing in Canonsburg, where he has worked for the last four years. There he had a role he flourished in, a career he was proud of, and a work family that he truly loved. When Sammy was not working, he enjoyed music, sports, travel, concerts, good food, trivia, tech, family, friends and Eddie. He could be found listening to his endless playlists, while buying concert tickets, watching the Pens play, texting his cousin about their next travel adventure, posting a Connections Challenge for the family chat, trying a soup recipe he found on TikTok for his parents, RSVPing to his niece’s soccer game, and checking on Eddie with his GPS collar. Yes, all at the same time, and with ease! He was just that smart, talented, motivated, involved and thoughtful. His love of everything wired and wireless really allowed him to make a living, be a wealth of information, live his life doing the things he loved and truly be the glue that held our family together even though we were miles apart. There will never be another Sammy. He will be inexpressibly missed and will live forever in our hearts. There will be a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at ANTHONY L. MASSAFRA FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE INC. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, with Deacon Al Poroda officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements have been entrusted to Anthony L. Massafra Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., 40 Second St. Ext., Donora, PA 15033, 724-379-6900. To share a condolence, please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.
