Bernard "Bernie" S. Krowczyk, Jr.

Bernard “Bernie” S. Krowczyk, Jr. 80, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. He was born in Rockford, Illinois on December 25, 1942, and was the son of Bernard S. and Celia (Brodeski) Krowczyk, Sr.

On January 11, 1964, Bernie married Sharon Gatto at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Rockford. Together they raised 3 children, Sherrie, Sandi and Scott (“the 3 kids”), and have 6 grandchildren, Collin, Lauren, Tyler, Dalton, Brynn and Kendall. Family was everything to Bernie.

As a young man, Bernie worked at Zander’s Farm and later for Muller Pinehurst Dairy. He then began his over 40 year career as a Sales Consultant at Anderson’s Rock River Ford, formerly Frontier Ford. Bernie was well known and respected by all who knew him. He treated everyone with kindness and compassion. Bernie was passionate about Ford Mustangs and was a longtime “friend” and associate of the Rockford area Mustang Club. He enjoyed working with the Club to lead an annual Mustang Club Charity Event at the dealership. Bernie earned numerous honors and awards throughout his career, and was particularly proud of being a 3 consecutive year winner of the Rockford “What Rocks - Best Auto Salesperson” and the “300/500 Ford Masters” Club.

Bernie loved spending time with his wife and family. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed working in his yard, riding his John Deere tractor and doing lawn work. He also enjoyed sitting on his patio drinking coffee with his wife and simply enjoying time with his family. He was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and an Usher. He also enjoyed volunteering with his wife at Holy Family Catholic School while their three children attended.

Bernie is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Sharon; his children, Sherrie (Pedro) Krowczyk-Mendoza of Rockford, Sandi Krowczyk-Torosian of Waukesha, Wisconsin and Scott (Erica) Krowczyk of Belvidere; his grandchildren, Collin and Lauren Mendoza, Tyler and Dalton Torosian, and Brynn and Kendall Krowczyk; his sister and brothers, Bernadette (Dave) Celmer, Joe (Lynn) Krowczyk, and Stanley Krowczyk; his brother-in-law, Gene Lawver; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bernie is predeceased by his parents and his sister Bernice Lawver.

A special and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ted Ingrassia, his pulmonologist, for his many years of care, and to the entire team at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. A special and heartfelt thanks to Rick Beale, Jason Brown, and the entire Anderson Automotive Group Family for their friendship and partnership throughout the many years.

A Celebration of Bernie's Life will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Visitation will begin at 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Very Reverend Phillip Kaim presiding. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory Mulford Chapel, 1860 South Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Bernie’s honor to the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Foundation Lung and Pulmonology Fund, 5668 East State Street, Suite 2500, Rockford, Illinois 61108.

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