Florian James Kowalinski

Florian Flink James Kowalinski, age 87, passed away Monday, May 28, 2018 at the Franciscan Care Center in Sylvania. Florian was born June 22, 1930 in Toledo to Stanley and Angeline Kowalinski. He was drafted by the Army serving two years during the Korean War at Ft. Leonardwood. Upon returning, Flink opened several service stations around Toledo. He eventually sold them and began a 23 year career with Champion Spark Plug, retiring when the plant closed in 1989. His strong work ethic was evident in everything he did. When he thought his family needed more space, he built a family room onto his home while working overtime at his job at Champion. Flink enjoyed boating and fishing in his down time. He owned several boats over the years and was a past member of Ottawa River Yacht Club. He later kept his boat at Anchor Point. He took frequent trips to Cedar Point and the Lake Erie Islands. Flink also liked to hunt deer and go fishing in Canada. He had an adventurous spirit and would take his family on annual 3 week long road trips out west. Flink especially enjoyed his travels to Las Vegas and going on cruises. Flink is survived by his loving wife, Ardythe; children, Debbie Gembolis, Cindy Garrison, and Mark (Amy) Kowalinski; grandchildren, Corinn (Chris) Shemak, Kylie (Steve) Johnson, Kurt (Ciji) Gembolis, Kevin (Amzie) Gembolis, Kendra (Nate) Manual, Claire (Zach) Gembolis, Haylee (Adam) Werner, Lindsey (Tim) Boudreau, Stanton Kowalinski, and Abigail (Aaron) Cox; great-grandchildren, Armani, Ella, Grayson, Evelyn, Gibson, Allie, Sydney, Charlie, Baylee, Fynn, Arlo, Trey, Tyson, Ryan, and McKenzie. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rosemary Zawodny; and son-in-law, Don Gembolis. Visitation will be Friday, June 1, 2018 at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.) from 9:30am until the time of service at 11:00am. Memorial contributions may be made to the Traumatic Brain Injury Resolve Center, 7430 W. Central Ave. Suite C, Toledo, OH 43617. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.